Turnout Huge for Central Mountain Track

By John Lipez

MILL HALL, PA – By far the most popular sport in terms of participation at Central Mountain High School has been track and field and 2022 will be no exception.

  Interim head coach Ellie Sikorskas welcomed 98 students to the team earlier this month, 34 boys and 64 girls.

  Sikorskas, previously an assistant coach with the program, was elevated to the top job just as preseason started as previous head coach Danielle Wilson resigned after three years due to a family matter. New coach Sikorskas joined the program as an assistant a year ago and was a record-setting performer in the discus for the Lady Wildcats in her high school years.

  The Record recently did a question-and-answer with the new head coach:

  What kind of talent is back? We have 17 seniors this year, a lot of returning athletes, and very motivated freshman. Everyone is already working so hard in only the first week.

  Goals for the new season? My goals are to guide these athletes to achieve their goals, get the boys team a win, and establish a motivating and supporting culture throughout the team. I also want the girls to do well. 

  Given the repairs planned for your home track, will you be able to have home meets this spring? Yes, there were patches made to the track on March 4 and future plans to repair the entire track. Our first home meet is March 29 against Jersey Shore. 

  Anything else we should know?  We have a great group of coaches this year including new assistant coach Clayton Courter, our returning assistant coach Scott Bair, and a handful of wonderful volunteers (Dawn Couter, Jim Watson, Mallory Eck, Emily Labar, and Dylan Gordon). Everyone is great and very excited for the upcoming season. 

  Next Tuesday’s home meet with Jersey Shore is to start at 4 p.m. The high school track is located behind the Central Mountain Middle School in Mill Hall.