CM Track & Field Preview

Numbers Are Up; Two State-Qualifiers Return

MILL HALL — Veteran Central Mountain track and field coach Bob Dwyer likes what he sees of his massive squad so far, a lot of letter-winners and two state qualifiers returning this year.

Dwyer and his staff have been working with a senior high squad of 88, 48 boys and 40 girls, and another 85 participants in grades seven and eight.

Both senior high squads, boys and girls, lost a lot of letter-winners from last season, but each brings back a PIAA qualifier, school record-holders Kyler Klein in the javelin and Jena Toner in the 100 meters and long jump.

With the loss of some many upperclassmen from a year ago, Dwyer said there are a lot of slots up for competition.

This year it’s a junior-dominated team including Zach Mansfield and Gino Ferrara in the sprints, Loc Long in the discus and, on the girls side, Laurel Moyer, a cross country state qualifier, in the distances, Katelyn Walbridge in distance events and the high jump, Cassie Lageman in the triple jump and relays and Aliyah Mallak in middle distances and relay events.

Dwyer also said he is looking for a good year from senior Mike Sikorskas in the shot put and discus.

He said both teams should be strong in the distance events and the boys strong in the throwing category.

Dwyer said the goal is a winning season and he is looking for individual team members to do well at the District 6 event in mid-May.

The season is due to begin at the Wildcat track facility behind the Central Mountain Middle School on April 1, the opposition Bald Eagle Area and Penns Valley.