Hornets look to grab top spot
SL runner-up in ’16, boys squad seeks final step
Highland’s boys track team should feature a balanced lineup this year and score points in most events. Photo courtesy of Highland Schools
Highland’s boys track team is coming off what was close to a banner year. This time, they want that banner, and have the tools to get it.
The Hornets last year finished second in the Suburban League’s American Conference. With losses to graduation minor at worst, the gap between Highland and first-place Copley likely has closed.
“We have a lot of guys back,” Highland coach Josh Victory said. “We had a (4x100-meter relay) team that broke our school record last year and they’re all back.”
The Hornets got their invitational season off in high style, winning the Aurora Greenmen Invitational on April 13. They totaled 112 points to outpace the host squad and SL American rival by 11.
They did it without likely No. 1 point producer Evan Kasulones. The junior sprinter won the indoor state title in the 60-meter dash. Kasulones is part of that 4x100 team Victor spoke of. The others are senior Anthony McCartney, senior Christopher Burnside and junior Noah King. The foursome qualified last year for the Amherst Division I Regional.
Other seniors who will be heard from include Nicholas Jadach (distance), Josh Filips (sprints), Thomas Pembridge (sprints), Jacob Marquis (distance), Andrew Plevris (pole vault), Tyler Schultz (pole vault) and Alexander Sube (throws).
Among juniors are Brett Ponikvar (hurdles), Jacob Hotes (sprints), Simon Welton (distance), Alexander Borla (distance), Ethan Gerging (throws) and Lucas King (throws).
Distance ace Vince Manning leads a sophomore class that includes Elijah Fragnoli (hurdles), Maxfield Goettler (jumps) and Nick Hussing (jumps). Freshmen Matthew K’Meyer (sprints, jumps) and Dylan Liggett (sprints) have seen action early.
Those are just some of the names among the nearly 70 on the roster, a number that has held steady for a few years now, a sign of a healthy program.
“They look like pretty good athletes,” Victor said. “Time will tell. My best team, I only had 32, but they were really good. It’s about behavior and discipline.
“Most of our distance is back. I think I’m pretty solid, it’s just kind of the back-up guys now. How many do I have that are coming up that will step up to do a little bit more if I need to put a guy in. That I don’t know about yet.”
Manning won the 1,600 and 3,200 at Aurora. Jadach won the 800. Gerding won the discus and was runner-up in the shot put. K’Meyer was runner-up in the high jump.
The best thing about a big roster is Victor knows there are unknowns who by season’s end will be known.
“It’s one of those years that with so many young ones, we just have to look to develop some,” the coach said. “Hurdles is another spot that we just need to get better at. We had a couple guys last year that rose to the occasion but they graduated.”
In the SL American, the Hornets should be in the running for the top spot this year, if all goes as planned and everyone is healthy.
“We lost to Copley last year,” Victor said. “Aurora gave us a good run. They’re pretty strong all-around as well. Those are the two big ones.”
The Hornets last year finished second in the Suburban League’s American Conference. With losses to graduation minor at worst, the gap between Highland and first-place Copley likely has closed.
“We have a lot of guys back,” Highland coach Josh Victory said. “We had a (4x100-meter relay) team that broke our school record last year and they’re all back.”
The Hornets got their invitational season off in high style, winning the Aurora Greenmen Invitational on April 13. They totaled 112 points to outpace the host squad and SL American rival by 11.
They did it without likely No. 1 point producer Evan Kasulones. The junior sprinter won the indoor state title in the 60-meter dash. Kasulones is part of that 4x100 team Victor spoke of. The others are senior Anthony McCartney, senior Christopher Burnside and junior Noah King. The foursome qualified last year for the Amherst Division I Regional.
Other seniors who will be heard from include Nicholas Jadach (distance), Josh Filips (sprints), Thomas Pembridge (sprints), Jacob Marquis (distance), Andrew Plevris (pole vault), Tyler Schultz (pole vault) and Alexander Sube (throws).
Among juniors are Brett Ponikvar (hurdles), Jacob Hotes (sprints), Simon Welton (distance), Alexander Borla (distance), Ethan Gerging (throws) and Lucas King (throws).
Distance ace Vince Manning leads a sophomore class that includes Elijah Fragnoli (hurdles), Maxfield Goettler (jumps) and Nick Hussing (jumps). Freshmen Matthew K’Meyer (sprints, jumps) and Dylan Liggett (sprints) have seen action early.
Those are just some of the names among the nearly 70 on the roster, a number that has held steady for a few years now, a sign of a healthy program.
“They look like pretty good athletes,” Victor said. “Time will tell. My best team, I only had 32, but they were really good. It’s about behavior and discipline.
“Most of our distance is back. I think I’m pretty solid, it’s just kind of the back-up guys now. How many do I have that are coming up that will step up to do a little bit more if I need to put a guy in. That I don’t know about yet.”
Manning won the 1,600 and 3,200 at Aurora. Jadach won the 800. Gerding won the discus and was runner-up in the shot put. K’Meyer was runner-up in the high jump.
The best thing about a big roster is Victor knows there are unknowns who by season’s end will be known.
“It’s one of those years that with so many young ones, we just have to look to develop some,” the coach said. “Hurdles is another spot that we just need to get better at. We had a couple guys last year that rose to the occasion but they graduated.”
In the SL American, the Hornets should be in the running for the top spot this year, if all goes as planned and everyone is healthy.
“We lost to Copley last year,” Victor said. “Aurora gave us a good run. They’re pretty strong all-around as well. Those are the two big ones.”