NTL TRACK & FIELD: THROWERS LOOK TO LEAD NEB BACK TO PROMINENCE (2022-04-05)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It looks to be a rebound year for Northeast Bradford track and field, as they’ve seen a big bump in their numbers, with many of them proven athletes in other sports.

“For ninth graders we have a huge amount,” said head coach Michele Cowles. “And they did very well for junior high last year, so it’d be nice to see how they stand amongst the varsity level this year.”

One big returnee is thrower Dan Seeley on the boys’ side.

“We’re looking at hopefully an NTL champion for both shot and disc,” said assistant coach Sandy Morris. “We’re looking for him to maybe break the school record in discus, and districts and states, probably more in discus than shot.”

Seeley came close last year to states in the discus, taking fourth at discus at 133-feet, 7-inches. 

“I’m really excited,” said Seeley. “It’s been a while, losing that sophomore year really drives you for the next two.”

Making down to Shippensburg is his big goal this year.

“I really want to go to states, that’s like my biggest goal right now,” he said about discus. “I think placing (at districts) in shot would be cool, too.”

Seeley is building his throwing from the bottom up this year to really focus on his technique.

“Just breaking everything down, getting everything step by step,” he remarked. “Making sure I get my head through.”

His goal for shot put is 48-feet, ‘I’d be pretty happy with that,’ while in the discus he wants the school record. 

“I think I need like a 153-feet to beat it,” said Seeley.

He’s happy to have some more company on the team as several athletes from across the sports spectrum have turned out for track this year.

“One of my best friends just started this year, and I wished he started earlier,” Seeley said. “But he is going to be competitive in the NTL, I think.”

Cowles mentioned Brandon Kuhn as one who could shine.

“He has a lot of potential for running,” she said. “Shakei Smith is also a senior, first time, he’s another one for running. Ethan Finch, a senior.”

“He’s going to put a dent in some throws,” added Morris. “He’s pretty talented with that, and I can’t wait to see what he does in high jump, too.”

On the girls’ side another stand out thrower from a year ago is Emma Neuber, who is excited to be back throwing again.

“I think track is definitely one of my favorite sports,” she said.

Last year she was dealing with being a freshman on the team competing against upper classmen.

“It was my first year on varsity, which is scary because I’m a freshman trying to throw, and be as good as I can,” explained Neuber. “You’ve just got to stay positive when you do it, because I’m not the biggest person out there, but I have a lot of passion towards it.”

Her favorite event is shot put, an event she took eighth in at the NTL Championships a year ago.

“My dad always thinks I could do better in discus, because there’s always bigger girls than me for a shot because it weights more, but I just like the technique; it’s different.”

Neuber’s biggest goal will be to make it to districts in both shot and discus.

“I want to try to do that for javelin, too,” she said. “I don’t know if I’m able to do that, but I definitely want to try and medal, though.”

For shot put she’s hoping to get 30 feet.

“It’s a stretch, because last year I only threw 27,” she said. “But I think I could do it if I really work hard at it.”

They also have an influx of new athletes, including cross-country runners Lilah Hughes and Gracelyn Laudermilch, who made it to states in the fall.

“I really like having more people,” said Neuber. “They’re all very positive, and I think that we can just build each other up.”

Cowles likes the idea of having more because it opens up more possibilities, and even gives them a chance to do well in dual meets.

“We can have more relay teams this year, which will help tremendously,” she said. “We just didn’t have enough numbers last year, and this year we do.”

ROSTER

Brendon Allen

Cesar Alvarez

Cameron Baker

Aydin Buynak

Alanna Buynak

Jayden Comstra

Aydin Finch

Ethan Finch

Cora Franklin

Tanner Herb

Lilah Hughes

Ryan Jones

Aidan Kapr

Amelia Kapr

Austin Kithcart

Brandon Kuhn

Gracelyn Laudermilch

Gavin Merritt

Brayden Miller

Emma Neuber

Jace Nichols

Donte Rubeck

Tyler Russell

Miles Sanders

Daniel Seeley

Shakei Smith

Gavin Tuttle

SCHEDULE

April 5 at Sayre, 4 p.m.

April 14 at Molly Dry Invitational, 2 p.m.

April 19 at Wellsboro, vs Canton, Troy, 4 p.m.

April 26 at Towanda, vs Sayre, Wellsboro

April 29 at Lasagna Invitational, 3 p.m.

May 3 at Athens vs NPM, 4 p.m.

May 9 at Wyalusing, vs Towanda, Canton, 4 p.m.

May 13 at NTL Championships (Athens), 2 p.m.

May 19 at District IV Championships (Williamsport)

May 21 at District IV Championships (Williamsport)