IAC BOYS TRACK & FIELD: NEWARK VALLEY HOPING TO GO THE ‘DISTANCE’ AND THEN SOME (2022-03-30)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — The Newark Valleys boys track & field team has good numbers once again this year. Given the past two seasons, the Cardinals are ready to show what they can do.

“The team is happy that they are going to have a full season after losing the 2020 season and having the short season last year,” coach Joe Lakin said.

NV suffered several graduation losses in most events, but still look strong with seniors Jonny Sherwood and Mark Vosburgh returning and looking to continue their success in the distance events.

“Team captain Sherwood is also going to compete in the steeplechase and is willing to compete in any event we may throw him in,” Lakin said.

Sherwood was the IAC champion and the Section IV Class C-1 winner in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He was also the runner-up in the Section IV Showcase, trailing only a Class A competitor at the finish line. He was also the IAC champ in the 3200 run, and was second at sectionals and seventh in the showcase.

Vosburgh was the steeplechase runner-up at sectionals and took fifth in the IAC.

Other returning distance runners are Dan Pirger, Anvil Illsley, Riley Levine and 8th-grader Marcos Escalante.

Coach Sherwood is also excited about the pole vaulters and has senior captain Aden Hollenbeck and a host of returning underclassmen to include Gavin Mann, Landon Spoonhower, Logan Rhodes and Jackson Hoover.

“This year’s throwers are a hardworking group of individuals without a lot of experience,” Lakin said. “They include Logan Mann, Kaleb Karp, Bryce Dunn, Seth Northrup, Jacob Guiles, Brody Hines and newcomer Austin DeBolt.

“Returning to the jumps are Troy Middendorf, Gavin Mann, and Maxwell Flesher. They will be joined by 8th-graders Elijah Williams and Zion King.

“The sprinters and hurdlers are young and will include last year’s competitors Troy Middendorf, Max Flesher, and newcomer John Fiacco,” Lakin said.

“Although the team is largely inexperienced they are exhibiting a strong work ethic and will continue to gain experience in preparation for the IACs and Class C events later this year,” he added.

Newark Valley opens the season Tuesday at Watkins Glen, along with Candor and S-VE.

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IN PHOTO 1: NV’s Jonny Sherwood. … TCSR STOCK PHOTO.