BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
Towanda track and field sees two state qualifiers from last year returning, along with several key athletes as they head into the Casey Ellis era.
“Coach Vail left us in a really good spot, so we’re just trying to build off what he did,” Ellis said.
Varrius Farrell came about as close to getting a state medal and not get it as you can get, while Izzy Larson got her feet wet at Shippensburg.”
“Connie got him there last year, so we trust that she’ll help build him back on to that,” Ellis said about Farrell. “We’re just continuing to add the inches, like he did last year when he got the appropriate weighted shot. I think that gave him a lot of confidence, he’s been throwing with a lot more confidence, even just in practice.”
Farrell tied for eighth, but lost on second tie-breaker when they matched throws, so there’s not short of motivation for the senior.
“Knowing last year, knowing how well I did, I know that this year, if I don’t place (at states), I feel like it would be a disappointment,” Farrell said. “I know going in I’m going to throw my shot, and then, if I make time, I’ll throw some discus. But the goal is just place, and break the school record.”
He’s shooting for 55-feet, which would put him in state title contention. He threw 51-feet, 2 3/4-inches at the state championships.
“That’s a big number for me,” remarked Farrell. “I know that 54 will break the school record, but 55 is a great number, and once you hit that, you’re one of the big dogs.”
Last year was his first year doing varsity track, so having that year under his belt will also help.
“I’m working on keeping my chest high,” he said. “I struggle with that. Also, I’m very off balanced quite often. This year I’m going to rotate, so it’s going to be a big, big change compared to last year. I’ve got a lot to work on, but I’ve got a lot of preseason time to work on that.”
Another one to watch will be Kole Heyer, who medaled in the high jump at districts a year ago.
“He had a pretty good indoor season,” Ellis said. “He was pretty consistent with t hat, so we’re kind of looking for him to improve his podium spot, and then we’ll see about states.”
As for Larson, she was part of a strong NTL contingent that made states in the 1600
“Getting her back there, and improving on her finish there is one of our goals,” said Ellis. “Our girls 4x800 relay just missed making states, so improving on that to get them to states this year. Once you get to states you never know.”
Larson ran indoor this past winter, and she thinks it’s prepared her for this spring.
“I definitely gave me a look on where I wanted to be this year,” she said. “I got to race against some good girls, and some really fast competition in indoor.”
She ran in the 5:30s for the mile, but she wants to be ahead of that to start this spring. As for states, getting there last year has opened her eyes to what she can do, and what it takes to get there.
“It’s definitely a good experience, a good outlook,” she said. “It gets me ready for where I want to be this year, and helps with your nerves a lot.”
Her main goal is getting on the state podium.
“Whatever gets me there,” said Larson. “I’m trying to get a PR, obviously, but definitely the state podium.”
Their 4x800 relay just missed states a year ago by a few seconds, and they have plenty of options for loading that team up again, this year.
“I know we might have someone new this year, but we have everyone returning, and I’m just hoping to get our time down, and make states,” Larson said.
They also have plenty of other talent to watch this spring.
“Melody Hakes cleared 4-feet, 10-inches last year in the high jump,” noted Ellis. “We’re looking to see if she can get on the podium, even make states. Madelyn Moore cleared 4-feet, 11-inches last year as an eighth grader. Marin Maynard made the podium last year at districts in the pole vault, so we’ll look for her to improve on that. Brynn Woodruff in the javelin - after throwing for about three weeks last season she made the podium at districts.”
As for getting back on the top of the NTL, Ellis believes the opportunity is there, but they’ll need a strong effort to take it.
“Athens is still going to be tough, Wellsboro is going to be pretty tough,” Ellis said about the girls’ side. I think our girls could mix it up, I think we have enough depth, and enough big guns to at least compete. There are a few events that we’re going to need to try to shore up if we want to be able to win. On the boys I think Troy is still going to be really tough to beat, but they’re a little more vulnerable, so we’ll see how the season progresses. Boys are in a pretty similar spot, there’ still a few areas we need to shore up, but I’m pretty hopeful for the season.”
ROSTER
Abby Benjamin
Adalet Wecker
Alexiana Lamphere
Ali Hollett
Allexys Shaffer
Angie Tavani
Anna Caplinger
Anna Dunn
Averie Cook
Ayanna Barker
Bertille Roth
Brianna Johnson
Brook-lynn Dele Ree
Brynn Woodruff
Cheyenne Morgan
Dawn Petty
Gracie Johnson
Hannah Petty
Izzy Larson
Karis Flynn
Katelyn Blokzyl
Kennedy Heyer
Kenzie Brown
Kiera Cassellbury
Kylee Barnes
Lilyann Sproule
London Decker
Lynsie Hudson
Madelynn Snell
Marin Maynard
Marly Bride
Mary-Kate Eberlin
Melody Hakes
Mya Maynard
Natalee Hicks
Natalyn Morris
Nozila Ismailova
Summer Hunsinger
Willow Dymond
Aaden Blokzyl
Alex Lantz
Anthony Rifenbark
Ashton Cobb
Brayden West
Braydin Matison
Brennick Lain
Calogero Miagnano
Cameron Miller
Carter Schoonover
Chace Francisco
Damen Doughtery
Domonik Miller
Jace Gunther
Jackson Frederick
Jacob Carr
Jason Valdes
Jayden Bartholomew
Jayden Fassett
Jaydon Stranger
Jazick Brown
Joseph Diaz
Kole Heyer
Kolton McPeak
Lake Strickland
Landon Rachel
Levi Snyder
Markell Garner
Mateo Perez
Matthew Weinman
Nolan Deacon
Owen Marstellar
Quentin Little
Ryon Bailey
Sean Lauber
Tanner Vanderpool
Tahshon Garner
Thomas Bowen
Varrius Farrell
Wyatt Stranger
Zach Mosier
SCHEDULE
Mar 25 vs Canton, NEB, 4 p.m.
April 1 at Wyalusing Tri-Meet, 4 p.m.
April 4 at Canton’s Kirby Classic, 3 p.m.
April 8 vs Wellsboro, 4 p.m.
April 12 at Don Wilhour Invitational, 9 a.m.
April 15 at Athens, 4 p.m.
April 17 at North Pocono Twilight Invitational, 3 p.m.
April 19 at Shippensburg Riddick Invitational
April 22 vs NPM, 4 p.m.
April 25 at Wyalusing’s Lasagna Invitational, 3 p.m.
April 29 vs Sayre, 4 p.m.
May 5 vs Troy, 4 p.m.
May 9 at NTL Championships, 3 p.m.
May 15 at District IV Championships
May 17 at District IV Championships
