By TIM TAYLORTioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Owego will start the season lacking experience, but with a large group of competitors.
“The varsity track team is excited to start our season,” coach Steve Senko said. “We have more than 60 kids participating this season and have some athletes who should do very well this season.
“The team is inexperienced, but working very hard and we expect them to continue improving. We know that we can be competitive in our dual meets this season and have some athletes who will be among the very best in Section IV.
BOYS
New to Owego, senior Cameron Squire will lead the sprinters and jumpers, competing in the 200-meter dash, the 400 and the long jump. Joining him will be junior Gabe Snyder, who is expected to be very competitive in the pole vault and long jump.
“There are also several promising freshmen, led by Vasil Brich, who we expect to do well in the 100 and 200,” Senko said.
“The boys distance team is led by Jace Stuart, who comes off of a very good cross country season and is expected to be a top runner in both the 1600 and 3200,” the coach said. “In addition to Jace, Gavin Bowers, a senior, and a plethora of freshmen will help the distance team to do well on the track.”
Among the throwers, Dominick Mahonski is expected to be a threat in the shot put and Seth Chandler should be a force in the discus.
“There are also several other boys throwers who will provide depth in that event, including senior Michael Thompson,” Senko said.
GIRLS
“For the girls, the distance team will be our strength,” Senko said. “We have a lot of depth provided by our seniors; Ella Rieg, Alex Anderson, Hailey McHugh, Maggie Huizinga and Alyssa Stephens.
“The stand out of this team is Jaelyn Chrysler, who is coming off an exceptional cross country season.”
Chrysler knocked seven seconds off the school mark in the 2,000 steeplechase last May, recording a time of 7:50.1.
“As an 8th-grader, she will challenge the best runners in Section IV this season,” Senko said.
“Juniors Abby Fahey and Sydney Watson, newcomers to tracks, “will help this team to be very competitive,” according to the coach.
“The sprint and jump team will be led by junior Alexandra Senko, a returning hurdler and triple jumper who should compete at a very high level this season.
“Newcomer Stella Pallidino, an 8th-grader, should be our fastest girl in both the 100 and 200. Maggie Huizinga will compete in the high jump and should do very well at invitationals this season. The sprints also have several freshmen girls who will provide some depth for this team.
“For the throwers, we do not have a lot of experience, but the girls are working hard and getting better every day.”
The throwers will be led by senior Macie Cunningham.
Owego opens the season at 10 a.m. today at the NY/PA Invitational at Windsor. THere are 27 teams registered, including Newark Valley.
——————
IN PHOTO 1: Jace Stuart. … IN PHOTO 2: Alex Senko. … TCSR STOCK PHOTO.
