Boys track preview

ALONSO

COACH: Dean Robertson

LAST YEAR: The Ravens were in their initial season last year and are still building.

RETURNEES: John Forbes, James Rue, Calu Pack, John Cassanova.

OUTLOOK: Robertson is a successful experienced coach and is still working on getting new athletes on the track to help build a program. The Ravens are young, but already competitive in the short distances and relays.

COACH SAYS: "The athletes we are working with are a great group of kids and very promising. We are still working on the numbers though and should have a decent squad by the time districts come around."

CHAMBERLAIN

COACH: Nelson Garcia

RECORD: N/A

RETURNEES: Sean Dixon, Rashad Miller, Fabian Lewiston, Michael Capitano, Jason Haygood, Justin Crumm, Bradley Lewis.

OUTLOOK: The Chiefs have fast sprinters with Dixon, Miller, Lewiston and Capitano. Making up tough relays and with Haygood, Crumm and Lewis, they have the core for success in the field events. With the newcomers on the track working into events, Chamberlain could be in the thick of the district and regional races after the regular season.

COACH SAYS: "The core of our team should take us past the districts into some positive regional results. We probably will start slow in some of the early meets, to see the areas we need to work on. Some hard work and we will be competitive."

FREEDOM

COACH: Calvin Smith

LAST YEAR: Starting first season

RETURNEES: None

OUTLOOK: Although the Patriots are starting a program this year, sprinter Angel Gonzalez and quarter miler Calvin Smith Jr. are a pair of standouts, capable of helping the program grow. The coaches are still recruiting and should have some capable athletes by the end of the season to build on next year.

COACH SAYS: "Our first goal is to get everyone into competitive condition and second is to get our new track ready with blocks for the sprinters to work out. They all need some work on technique, but these kids show a lot of promise. We are taking it slow at first, but I have a lot of confidence in these young athletes."

GAITHER

COACH: Tony Bellanca

LAST YEAR: 6-1, 3rd in district, 2nd in Western Conference

RETURNEES: Kyle Leavell, Justin Luper, Zack Harp, Chris Whitman, Chris Corso, Sasson Hedayatt, Kevin Bishop, Will Daines, Ryan Baker, Kelsey Shepperd, Jeff Cummings, Chris Blount.

OUTLOOK: The Cowboys have quality veterans back and plenty of them. They are balanced with speed, endurance and experience in the field events and on the track. Gaither should be a challenge to all teams this season.

COACH SAYS: "We have a nucleus of seniors back with the experience and determination to put us in the thick of things this season. If they perform like they are capable this season, we will have a great season."

JEFFERSON

COACH: J.L. Wilburn

LAST YEAR: 4x100 relay qualified for state

RETURNEES: Andre Caldwell, Dwight Collins

OUTLOOK: Devin Giles and Alex Suber join Caldwell and Collins to give the Dragons another fast 4x100 relay this year and Jermaine Lemons is approaching 50 feet already with the shot put. When some of the other athletes in the school begin to join the ranks, the Dragons could have a good team before the season ends.

COACH SAYS: "We need to get a commitment from the athletes already training and get some more of the athletes from other sports on the team. With a commitment and a few more of our top athletes working, we can be a pretty good team by the time districts roll around."

LETO

COACH: Bobby McConnell

LAST YEAR: N/A

RETURNEES: Tyrone Jones, Chris Woolridge, Kevin Lin, Jason Jesula, Willie Cancio.

OUTLOOK: The Falcons should do well in distance events, because of the runners from the successful cross-country program. Hennie Schoeman coached the boys' crosscountry team and coaches the girls track squad. He provided information on returnees.

SICKLES

COACH: Robert Irvin, Penny Heid assists.

LAST YEAR: Top 3 in districts

RETURNEES: Dan Buthe, Dan Gollins, Pablo Aquire, Matt Lindsey, Michael Suraez, Julian Torres, Brian Zipler.

OUTLOOK: The Gryphons have experience in the distance events with Buthe and Gollins. In the field events Lindsey is a thrower, Torres a pole Vaulter and Zipler has cleared six feet, two inches so far this season as a high jumper. Mix them with a good crop of freshmen and the Gryphons will be competitive early. By districts they will be tough.

COACH SAYS: Heid: "There are some very good assistant coaches with coach Irvin and some good athletes on the team. We have some very good athletes out from the football team to be part of the mix. This should be a successful team."

WHARTON

COACH: David Watson

LAST YEAR: won district, 3rd in region

RETURNEES: Jovan Mitchell, Jeff Johnson, Kejuan Young, Keon Young, Glenroy Braithwaite, Shannon Nathaniel, Jose Rodriguez, Zack Sanchez, Joe Hall, William Russell

OUTLOOK: This could be a great year for the Wildcats. Within the large number of experienced athletes back are a balanced core covering sprints, distance and field events. They should repeat as district champs, probably win the region and make a strong run for the state title.

COACH SAYS: "Some of our guys are in their fourth season with Wharton track, so I think we will definitely be one of the teams to beat this year. We will be going for our third straight district title and would like to win state. If everyone comes around, we should accomplish many of our goals."

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