TAMAQUA — If Tamaqua’s Morgan Boyle was nervous about competing in her first PIAA Track and Field Championships last May, it didn’t show.
The then sophomore came home with a pair of medals in Class AA. Boyle finished eighth in the pole vault at 10 feet, 6 inches during Day 1, then added another eighth-place finish in the javelin the following morning with a throw of 125-1.
Boyle’s performance at states in the javelin last season kept alive a streak for the Raiders that’s gone back to 2006 when Casey Wagner was fifth in the event at states. Every year since then, Tamaqua has had a least one female medal at states in the javelin, including Class AA state titles by Allison Updike in 2010 and Christine Streisel in 2011.
Boyle, now a junior, was fifth in the javelin at the Schuylkill League meet last year and runner-up at the District 11 Championships. She enters this season as the only returning individual state qualifier from the league who medaled at states in 2014. Boyle knows the expectations placed upon her will be higher this season.
“I feel like I need to keep improving like I did last year,” she said. “There is definitely pressure with Paige just getting the scholarship.”
Paige is teammate Paige Demetriades, a senior who has committed to the University of Pittsburgh for javelin. She will officially sign her letter April 4.
Demetriades is the defending Schuylkill League and District 11 champion in the event. The stress of picking a college is off her shoulders, but like Boyle, Demetriades knows there are certainly higher expectations on her this spring, too.
“I do feel like I need to perform,” she said. “The coach at Pitt, (throwing coach Chip Brundage) is awesome. He told me ‘No stress. Don’t worry that you are coming here that you have to throw a big number.’ But I am myself. I am always trying to push myself to do better and I am really hoping for a big goal.”
It’s a new track and field season, but what hasn’t changed is that Tamaqua once again has two of the top javelin throwers in the league. What makes the Boyle/Demetriades combination even more unique is that both also compete in the pole vault.
Demetriades was fifth in the event at leagues and tied for fourth with Minersville’s Katie Glore at districts. Boyle finished fourth in the pole vault at leagues and was a runner-up at districts.
The competition between the two can best be described as a friendly rivalry that’s beneficial to both.
“It is awesome because we both push each other,” Boyle said. “We are both pretty much at the same level. We both want to be better than each other and we both push each other in a fun way. We are good friends, so it is great to have somebody there to push because she does pole vault, too, so she follows me where ever we go so we have great competition there.”
Demetriades feels the same way.
“We always push each other and I think that is a big factor for me,” she said. “I think it is motivating for both of us. I think even at practice we work a lot harder because we are so competitive. We are always competing in everything.”
Even though the javelin is the main focus for both Boyle and Demetriades, the two also enjoy the pole vault. Boyle has a background in gymnastics, while Demetriades does the event to contribute points for the Blue Raiders during dual meets and invitationals.
“I am definitely not going anywhere with it, but I am good enough to compete,” Demetriades said.
Both Boyle and Demetriades have set even bigger goals for themselves this spring.
A long-term goal for Boyle is to join Wagner (South Florida), Updike (Georgia), Streisel (Duke) and Demetriades as female javelin throwers from Tamaqua who have competed at the Division I level. Boyle wants to hit 150 feet in the javelin and clear 12 feet in the pole vault this season and would like nothing more than to win state titles in both events.
“I put pretty high expectations on myself, but I have confidence in myself as far as my abilities,” she said. “I think if I keep working hard enough, I can achieve it.”
Demetriades is out to win league and district titles again, but also add the one missing piece from her high school career: A state medal. Demetriades was 20th at states in 2013 and 19th last year. She was battling an arm injury that affected her throwing at states last May, but didn’t want to use that as an excuse for her performance.
Demetriades is looking to hit a 168, a mark that would smash the school record of 161-2 set by Updike in 2010.
“Hopefully I can bring it home at states,” she said. “Giving it everything I got is the goal.”
Here are other items to look for this season:
• Along with Demetriades, six other athletes are back to defend individual Schuylkill League titles this spring, headlined by Pottsville senior Sarah Lombel (100, 200) and Pine Grove sophomore Maddie Frew (100 hurdles, triple jump). Also back are Tamaqua’s Monica Shimko (800), Jim Thorpe’s Devon Matz (300 hurdles), North Schuylkill’s Carly Gregas (high jump) and Schuylkill Haven’s Kelsey Sisko (long jump).
Lombel (100) and Gregas (high jump) will be going for their fourth consecutive league titles in those events this season.
Frew (100 hurdles), Shimko (800) and Gregas (high jump) added District 11 Class AA championships in 2014. Frew also qualified for states in the triple jump, 400 relay and 1,600 relay, and competed in all four events at the PIAA Championships.
Gregas has also medaled twice at states in the high jump, finishing fifth in 2012 and third in 2013.
• The graduation of Pottsville’s Paige Stoner (four consecutive league titles in the 1,600 and 3,200, 31 total career medals between cross country and track and field), leaves the door open for new faces to step up in the mid-distance and distance events. Not only is Stoner gone, but the next three finishers in the 1,600 from the 2014 league meet in Jim Thorpe’s Courtney Capper, Schuylkill Haven’s Emily Daniels and Pottsville’s Gabrielle DiRenzo also graduated.
So who will emerge as the league’s top distance runners this season? Two potential candidates, based on last year’s league results, are Blue Mountain juniors Caroline Rickard (fifth in the 1,600) and Shannon Henninger (second in 3,200).
• Lehighton joins the Schuylkill League from the now-defunct Mountain Valley Conference and will compete in Division I. The Indians, who went 4-2 last year under head coach Jim Blakeslee, return several MVC medalists. They include junior Megan McCullion (javelin champ), seniors Mallory Dorward (third in pole vault) and Jennifer Beers (sixth in the 800), and sophomore Grace Shanton (third in 100 hurdles).
• With Lehighton coming in, there are now 14 teams in the league. The divisions have also realigned, with last year’s Division II co-champ Pine Grove moving up to Division I and Minersville dropping down to Division II.
• There are three new coaches this season: Paige Lurwick (Blue Mountain), Scott McCormick (North Schuylkill) and Robert Thomas (Panther Valley).
Here’s a division breakdown:
DIVISION I
Last year’s division race came down to Pottsville and Blue Mountain, with the Crimson Tide clinching their second outright title in three years with a 78-72 victory April 22.
Those two will be in the mix again.
Losing Stoner to graduation was a big hit, but the Crimson Tide have plenty of returning talent, especially in the sprints.
In addition to her wins in the 100 and 200 at leagues, Lombel also was a part of the winning 400 relay team, with junior Alyssa Kondrack and sophomore Madison Sherakas returning from that squad. Kondrack was also second in the 100 and fourth in the 200 at leagues. In addition, senior Gabrielle Evans ran a leg on the league-winning 3,200 relay team.
Other returning individual league medalists for Pottsville are juniors Shelby Hahner (runner-up in the 400) and Makayla Jones (fourth in shot put).
With Rickard and Henninger, the Eagles’ strength will be in the distance and mid-distance events. Senior Aubrey Abel (fifth in 800); juniors Katie Thompson (sixth in 800), Courtney Dukmen (sixth in 1,600) and Raquel Mabry (fourth in 100 hurdles); and sophomore Shelby Whiteash (third in 400) are all returning league medalists for Blue Mountain.
Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua could be in the division-title hunt, too.
In addition to her league title in the 300 hurdles, Matz, a senior, was a runner-up in the 100 hurdles to Frew at leagues. Sophomore Brooke Cope was sixth in javelin at leagues, then took fourth in Class AAA at the District 11 Championships and qualified for states by beating the state qualifying standard of 122 feet with a 124-9.
Colleen Hoffman (runner-up in pole vault) was also a league medalist in 2014 for Jim Thorpe.
The Raiders will also be strong in the mid-distance and distance events with juniors Victoria LaBar (second in 800) and Chelsea Frantz (fourth in 400) and sophomore Nicole Wasserleben (third in 3,200) returning league medalists for Tamaqua. Shimko was also fourth in the 300 hurdles at leagues.
The Cardinals, who ended up sharing the Division II title last season with Marian and Schuylkill Haven, could also make some noise in the division. Sophomore McKayla Lally qualified for states in the 400 and 1,600 relays with Frew and was also third in the 200 and fourth in the 100 at leagues.
Junior Waverly Snyder (sixth in 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles) and junior Nicole Kane (fifth in 3,200) were league medalists for North Schuylkill in 2014.
Blue Mountain
Head coach: Paige Lurwick (1st season)
Last year: 5-1 overall, 4-1 D-I
Returnees: Aubrey Abel, sr., mid-distance; Madison Boyer, sr., pole vault; Eryn Coello, sr., throws; Emily Leymeister, sr., distance; Shainia Lloyd sr., hurdles, sprints; Brittney Moyer, sr., jumps; Leah Phillips, sr., hurdles, jumps; Courtney Dukmen, jr., distance; Anna Falco, jr., throws; Alex Ferrier, jr., jumps; Madison Gormley, jr., hurdles, jumps; Shannon Henninger, jr., distance; Alexandra Johnson, jr., throws; Kelley Maberry, jr., jumps; Raquel Mabry, jr., hurdles, jumps; Caroline Rickard, jr., distance; Katie Thompson, jr., mid-distance; Hadley Bolinsky, soph., pole vault; Christie Challenger, soph., sprints; Courtney Earnest, soph., sprints; Mercy Fisher, soph., sprints; Mya Hudepohl, soph., pole vault, mid-distance; Mallory Sanders, soph., throws; Kaila Smith, soph., hurdles, sprints, jumps; Molly Thompson, soph., pole vault; Maya Throne, soph., throws; Jessica Tobias, soph., hurdles, sprints; Shelby Whiteash, soph., sprints
Newcomers: Jessica Henry, jr., jumps; Emma Barrett, soph., pole vault, sprints; Shayla Rivera, soph., pole vault, hurdles; Elizabeth Berger, fr., distance; Allison Broadhurst, fr., throws; Kasey Dean, fr., throws; Rebekah Dolbin, fr., mid-distance; Brittney Dunleavy, fr., sprints, mid-distance; Taylor Kerstetter, fr., sprints; Katie Klamfoth, fr., throws; Emily Laughlin, fr., distance; Rebecca Moran, fr., hurdles, sprints; Alexandra Renken, fr., throws; Kendra Rice, fr., throws
Outlook: Eagles are deep in the mid-distance and distance events, and should be solid in the sprints and throws, too. Looking to develop depth. Division title contender.
Jim Thorpe
Head coach: Frank Miller (9th season)
Last year: 3-3, 2-3 D-I
Returnees: Anna Beard, sr., distance; Lindsay Capper, sr., distance; Rachael Caputo, sr., hurdles, jumps; Colleen Hoffman, sr., sprints, pole vault; Devon Matz, sr., hurdles; Autumn Cope, jr., throws, jumps; Rebecca Cressman, jr., sprints, jumps; Hope Damian, jr., throws; Diane Feller, jr., hurdles; Ruina Gentile, jr., throws, pole vault; Isle Hassler, jr., distance; Ava Lowin, jr., throws; Sophie Monboussin, jr., distance; Meaghann Principle, jr., distance; Brooke Cope, soph,. throws; Jillian Peterson, soph., hurdles, jumps; Paige Pfeiffer, soph., hurdles, jumps; Camille Principle, soph., sprints; Steph Zemaitaitis, soph., hurdles
Newcomers: Renata Lawrence, sr., throws; Emily Ruffa, sr., sprints; Erin Shigo, jr., throws, jumps; Kayla Sompel, jr.,. throws, jumps; Nichole Suabedissen, jr., throws; Delana Nalesnik, soph., distance; Monae Bullock, fr., sprints, jumps; Jacqueline Condly, fr., sprints, jumps; Emma Dunbar, fr., sprints, jumps; Noelle Fasolino, fr., sprints; Sarah Gabel, fr., throws; Brenna Gutwein, fr., sprints; Kayley Kovac, fr., distance; Payton Kovac, fr., distance; Devon Lignore, fr., throws; Alexandra McGinley, fr., sprints, jumps; Mackenzie Rosenberger, fr., hurdles, jumps; Kayla Ward, fr., distance; Jordan Waselus, fr., sprints, jumps
Outlook: Olympians have experienced athletes returning in the hurdles, mid-distance and throws. There are 40 girls on the roster. With that depth, the goal is to challenge for a division title.
Lehighton
Head coach: Jim Blakeslee (2nd season)
Last year: 4-2 overall, 4-2 Mountain Valley Conference
Roster (events not available for all athletes): Jennifer Beers, sr., mid-distance; Mallory Dorward, sr.; Riley Durishin, sr., jumps; Celina Fital, sr., mid-distance, jumps; Sidney Grandy, sr.; Christina Green, sr., sprints; Brianna Karpowicz, sr.; Melissa Nothstein, sr.; Abigail Obert, sr.; Cassandra Rehnert, sr., distance; Rebecca Strohl, sr., throws; Holly Bollinger, jr., throws; Megan McCullion, jr., throws; Samatha Muffley, jr.; Jonique Pace, jr.; Emma Sawyer, jr.; Alyssa Smith, jr.; Alexis Barndt, soph.; Tia Brownmiller, soph., sprints; Mary Grace Collins, soph.; Cera Gaston, soph., distance; Rajah Quinones, soph., sprints; Alexandra Rehnert, soph.; Grace Shanton, soph., hurdles; Mya Wagner, soph.; Jada Whiteman, soph.; Margaret Williams, soph.; Jen Berry, fr.; Kiara Englehart, fr.; Kalli Hildebrant, fr.; Amy Williamson, fr.
Outlook: The Indians will bring an experienced team to their first season in the Schuylkill League. Should be in the mix in the division.
North Schuylkill
Head coach: Scott McCormick (1st season)
Last year: 1-4, 1-4 D-I
Returnees: Carly Gregas, sr., jumps; Katelyn Huber, sr., throws; Leanne Long, sr., sprints, jumps; Heather Skinner, sr., hurdles; Nina Marone, sr., throws; Carly Bonomo, jr., sprints; Kelsey Burns, jr., mid-distance; Jacquie Kane, jr., throws; Nicole Kane, jr., distance; Kaeli Quick, jr., sprints, jumps; Jennifer Skinner, jr., throws; Waverly Snyder, jr., hurdles; Aspyn Hummel, jr., throws; Sadie Chikotas, soph., sprints; Vanessa Ferraiolo, soph., sprints, pole vault; Bria Hocking, soph., pole vault; Allison McAndew, soph., mid-distance; Lexi Roche, soph., sprints, mid-distance; Victoria Zak, soph., sprints, throws
Newcomers: Kylee Petritsch, jr., throws; Grace Major, soph., sprints; Rebecca May, soph., mid-distance; Lizzie Zimmerman, soph.; Joie Clews, fr., sprints; Karly Hillbish, fr., sprints; Sara Manbeck, fr., sprints, distance; Megan Sacco, fr., sprints, mid-distance; Chloe Stavinsky, fr., distance; Rachel Green, fr., throws; Taylor McAndew, fr., sprints
Outlook: Spartans are in a rebuilding mode this season under a new head coach. Still, there is a good amount of talent back and Spartans will be competitive in individual events.
Pine Grove
Head coach: Eric Kurtz (13th season)
Last year: 5-2, 5-1 D-II. Division II co-champion
Returnees: Brianna Felty, sr., hurdles, jumps; Emily Weaver, sr., mid-distance, jumps; Samantha Fessler, jr., throws; Erika Lengle, jr., mid-distance; Breanna Mabry, jr., throws; Sarah Micklo, jr., mid-distance; Elisa Seip, jr., distance; Jazmyn Snedden, jr., hurdles, jumps; Julia Zhu, jr., distance; Mary Cozzi, soph., distance; Madeline Frew, soph., hurdles, jumps; Ciera Geiger, soph., hurdles, jumps; Tessa Heim, soph., throws; McKayla Lally, soph., hurdles, jumps; Samantha Lentz, soph., hurdles; Baylie Schneck, soph., sprints, hurdles; Adrianna Tennis, soph., throws; Haley Weaver, soph., sprints; Kirby White, soph., throws
Newcomers: Delaney Hunter, jr., sprints, hurdles, throws; Hunter Madion, jr., mid-distance; Margarita Parker, jr., throws; Kylie Guthrie, soph., sprints, hurdles, throws; Rachel Edge, fr., sprints, jumps; Mackenzie Keating, fr., sprints, jumps; Nilitza Malave, fr., sprints, jumps; Rachel Newcomer, fr., mid-distance; Alexis Ramer, fr., mid-distance; Chloe Readinger, fr., sprints; Carly Schnoke, fr., throws; Ashley Somers, fr., distance; Angeline Wolfe, fr., distance
Outlook: Cardinals might have the most balanced team in program history as they make a return to Division I. There are quality athletes in all events that should help Pine Grove stay in the division race.
Pottsville
Head coach: Barb McGinley (9th season)
Last year: 5-1, 5-0 D-I. Division I champion
Returnees: Aysia Centeno, sr., sprints; Gabrielle Evans, sr., mid-distance; Sarah Lombel, sr., sprints, jumps; Ashley Purnell, sr., throws; Brianna Rossi, sr., throws; Emily Daniels, jr., throws; Delaney Golden, jr., mid-distance, distance; Shelby Hahner, jr., sprints, jumps; Makayla Jones, jr., throws; Alyssa Kondrack, jr., sprints, javelin; Hannah Kostick, jr., distance; Bailey Nagle, jr., distance; Madelyn Tarconish, jr., throws; Abby Wrona, jr., distance; Kate Borrell, soph., distance; Meg Dalton, soph., sprints, jumps, throws; Kayla Drasdis, soph., hurdles; Carissa Kiapes, soph., distance; Marge Ortiz, soph., throws; Kyra Schenk, soph., throws; Madison Sherakas, soph., sprints, hurdles, jumps
Newcomers: Sarah Lesher, sr., throws; Kali Baldwin, jr., sprints; Sadie Cresswell, jr., throws; Roxanne Geiger, jr., distance; Katrina Whalen, jr., sprints, jumps; Chloe Bledsoe, soph., distance; Madison Geiger, soph., throws; Rebecca Sites, soph., mid-distance; distance; Kiersten Conville, fr., throws; Caitlin Coyle, fr., throws; Hannah Evans, fr., sprints, mid-distance; Hannah Joyce, fr., mid-distance, jumps; Allura McCuller, fr., sprints; Kaelen McMullin, fr., throws; Keelie McMullin, fr., distance; Brenna Nagle, fr., distance; Marielle Przywara, fr., hurdles, jumps; Nakeya Smith, fr., sprints; Autumn Tarconish, fr., sprints; Kamryn Willard, fr., sprints; Selina Witmer, fr., throws
Outlook: Sprints and field events will be the strength of the Crimson Tide. The team is young, and the addition of talented athletes should make them competitive as always. One of the favorites in the division.
Tamaqua
Head coach: Tom Kanger (11th season)
Last year: 3-3, 2-3 D-I
Returnees: Paige Demetriades, sr., throws, pole vault; Vanessa Solt, sr., throws; Alexis Franz, jr., spints, jumps; Alexis Baddick, jr., sprints, jumps; Allison Pedersen, jr., throws; Chelsea Frantz, jr., sprints, mid-distance; Melanie Kostecky, jr., mid-distance; Morgan Boyle, jr., throws, pole vault; Sage Frey, jr., sprints, jumps; Samantha Shamonsky, jr., throws; Victoria LaBar, jr., mid-distance; Lauren Baddick, soph., sprints, jumps; Alexa Hromyak, soph., throws; Alexis Higgins, soph., hurdles; Andrea Iacoviello, soph., throws; Angelique Coughlin, soph., sprints, jumps; Genevieve Beck, soph., mid-distance; Jade Pradel, soph., sprints; Kayla Holland, soph., throws; Monika Shimko, soph., mid-distance, hurdles; Nicole Wasserleben, soph., mid-distance
Newcomers: Emily Wenzel, jr., sprints, jumps; Hannah Georges, jr., sprints; Jayda Hollan, jr., sprints; Alissa Hollenbach, soph., pole vault; Allison Miller, soph., throws; Paige Eltringham, soph., sprints, jumps; Abby Fiorilla, fr., mid-distance; Alyssa Campomizzi, fr., sprints, jumps; Carly Kosciolek, fr., sprints, jumps; Cassidy Derr, fr., sprints, jumps; Emily Andrews, fr., sprints; Janette Kabana, fr., mid-distance; Kailee Carroll, fr., distance; Kirstin Jones, fr., throws, jumps; Maddi Mace, fr., sprints, jumps; Mady Coccio, fr., sprints, jumps; Maizy Troxell, fr., hurdles; McKayla Wall, fr., sprints, throws; Olivia Stanek, fr., sprints, jumps; Shanna Brinkworth, fr., sprints, jumps
Outlook: Raiders’ strengths will be in the pole vault and javelin, along with the mid-distance and distance events. Could challenge for division title if younger talent develops.
DIVISION II
Last year’s division race came down to the last day of the regular season.
Marian controlled its own destiny entering its meet at Schuylkill Haven on May 1, but the Hurricanes beat the Fillies 84-57. It forced a three-way tie for the title among Marian, Schuylkill Haven and Pine Grove thanks to Pine Grove’s win over Schuylkill Haven (71-70 on April 10) and the Fillies’ victory over the Cardinals (87-54 on April 17).
The Fillies are the favorite entering this season.
One of the top returnees for Marian is sophomore Brenna Karnish, who earned three medals at the league meet by finishing second in long jump, third in discus and sixth in triple jump. Karnish then qualified for states by coming in second at the district championships.
Karnish will pace a strong group of throwers that also includes two other returning league medalists in seniors Kaylee Ceci (third in shot put) and Monica Baranko (sixth in discus). The other league medalist returning is junior Emily Pulaski (fifth in 400).
In addition to her league title in the long jump, Sisko added a sixth-place finish in the 100. She was also a part of a 400 relay team that was a runner-up at the league and district meets, qualifying for states. However, she is the only member of that team returning.
Another key athlete returning is senior Rileigh Evitts, who will compete in the sprints and jumps. Evitts was not on the team last year.
Minersville has struggled recently in dual meets while in Division I, but the drop to Division II should improve the Miners’ record. In addition to Glore, two other league medalists back for the Miners are senior Cassidy Mason (sixth in the 3,200) and sophomore Reiley Lonergan (three-way tie for fifth in high jump).
The other returning league medalist in the division is Mahanoy Area sophomore Samantha Gnall (fifth in long jump).
Berks League
Hamburg
The Hawks were hit hard by graduation, including the last remaining athletes from Hamburg’s undefeated season in 2012. Hamburg also has just 16 girls on the roster, so dual-meet success in 2015 will be difficult.
Junior Chelsea Forrest was 11th in both the 300 hurdles and high jump during last year’s B&G Firing Meet, while junior Leanne Moser was 16th in the discus. Those two, along with juniors Olivia Essig and Abbie Smith, are a few of the athletes to watch this season.
Tri-Valley League
Upper Dauphin
The track events will lead the Trojans this season with a pair of Tri-Valley League meet medalists returning.
One of the top athletes back is senior Anna Osman, who was the runner-up in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. Senior Marlee Mattern was also second in the 3,200. Four others — senior Rachel Harner (sixth in 3,200) and junior Karolyn Kerwin (seventh in 1,600), along with sophomores Meadow Walshaw-Wertz (seventh in 100, eighth in 800) and Kylee Russo (seventh in 800) — just missed out on league medals.
Susquenita is new to a now six-team league and will once again host the league championships May 6.
At a glance
Returning state qualifiers
Class AAA
Brooke Cope (Jim Thorpe) — javelin
Class AA
Carly Gregas (North Schuylkill) — High jump
Maddie Frew (Pine Grove) — 100 hurdles, triple jump, 400 relay, 1,600 relay
Paige Demetriades (Tamaqua) — javelin
Morgan Boyle (Tamaqua) — pole vault#, javelin#
Monika Shimko (Tamaqua) — 800
McKayla Lally (Pine Grove) — 400 relay, 1,600 relay
Kelsey Sisko (Schuylkill Haven) — 400 relay
Brenna Karnish (Marian) — discus
# State medalist
2014 Schuylkill League
Team Champions
Division I — Pottsville
Division II (co-champs) — Marian, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Haven
2015 Dates to remember
Wednesday, May 6 — Schuylkill League Individual Championships at Eagles’ Nest, Blue Mountain High School
Tuesday, May 12 — District 11 Championships at Zephyr Complex, Whitehall High School
Wednesday, May 13 — District 11 Championships at Zephyr Complex, Whitehall High School
Friday, May 22 — PIAA Championships at Seth Grove Stadium, Shippensburg University
Saturday, May 23 — PIAA Championships at Seth Grove Stadium, Shippensburg University