Crestwood track teams should be title contenders again

by Steve Stallone Sports Editor

The Crestwood High School track and field teams begin their Wyoming Valley Conference track and field seasons this week, and both bring back a boat load of talented athletes who can make plenty of noise not only in the Wyoming Valley Conference, but at the District 2 Class 3A meet later this spring.

A look at both teams follows:

Crestwood Boys

How would head coach Rob Moulton describe the Crestwood boys’ track and field team this season?

“They are track and field’s version of a scrappy team because it’s a team that’s just going to do what they have to do to make it happen,” Moulton said.

The defending WVC Division 1-champion Comets went 6-0 last spring, but lost a lot of point-getters to graduation. However, the cupboard is by no means bare.

“We have major rebuilding to do after many big-time athletes graduated last year, but I still think this is the type of team that can make noise in the conference,” stated Moulton. “We have so many great kids stepping up as replacements from last year. We really enjoy coaching this group. This crew is going to bring it each and every week, and it should be fun.”

Returning athletes Collin Bogdon (mid-distance), Weston Medvetz (distance), Isaac Mertz (pole vault, jumps), James Modrovsky (mid-distance), George Jennings (sprints), Ricardo Williams (sprints), John Jones (throws), Zach Sheloski (throws), Ryan Kozich (distance) and Conor Buckley (distance) bring experience and plenty of point potential.

Add in newcomers like Raymer Porro (jumps, sprints), Jaden Shedlock (sprints), Hayden Martincheck (pole vault), Anson Jumper (pole vault, hurdles, jumps), Mason Staude (distance), Jacob Lettieri (distance), Nate Higgins (distance) and Sean Rodgers (throws), and the Comets’ lineup looks pretty formidable.

“We have lots of other returners poised to make an impact in addition to our newcomers,” added Moulton, who pointed to Hazleton Area, Dallas, Pittston Area and WilkesBarre Area as the teams to beat in a stacked WVC Division 1.

The Comets begin their WVC season Wednesday against Wyoming Valley West.

Crestwood Girls

When you mix talent and experience with a strong work ethic, good things usually happen. The Crestwood girls have all of that, and a host of young athletes eager to add to the mix.

“We have a great mixture of returners and upperclassmen with experience, along with newcomers who exhibit enormous potential to make an impact,” offered

Lady Comets head coach Amy Viti. “We are fairly well-balanced throughout all event groups and will certainly be competitive at the conference and district levels.

“Our goal is truly to do our very best each and every meet while having fun, which will result in a very successful season.”

Viti is looking to veterans Emma Guydish (middistance), Maddie Jolie (mid-distance/hurdles), Kayla Kresge (hurdles), Mia Pollack (throws), Tessa Pollack (jumps), Emma Sheloski (sprints), Maddie Carmichael (jumps), Ellie Kozich (distance), Maggie Kozich (distance), Bianca Long (hurdles), Hope Kline (throws) and Sarah Shipton (sprints/pole vault) to be her rocks this spring. Other returning athletes who could make their mark are Emily Delvecchio (sprints), Maggie Riccio (distance), Kaelyn Barker (distance), Natalynn Celmer (pole vault), Evelyn Kruczek (pole vault), Brianna Dessoye (throws) and Olivia Jolie (jumps). With newcomers like Macie Centak (throws), Maddie Danko (distance), Lauren Falcheck (jumps), Alex Geiger (sprints/jumps), Madie Geiger (throws),

Grayce Grazio (sprints/ jumps), Hayley Keiser (sprints/jumps), Katie Kozich (distance), Sophia Tomek (sprints), Kyra Bechtel, (sprints) and CJ Eppley (hurdles) making their presence felt in the preseason, the Lady Comets are looking every bit a title contender after finishing second to Dallas last season.

“I’m amazed day after day how they show up, never complain, and put in the work needed to reach success,” Viti said. “It’s an extremely hard-working and dedicated group of individuals who have the drive and skill to win.”

With a tough schedule, however, there’s very little wiggle room for Lady Comets. “I really feel like every meet we win will be hard earned,” Viti said. “Our conference has a lot of fierce competition, and we will be strategically trying to win every meet.”

Their WVC season begins Wednesday at home with Valley West.

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Preview Capsules

Boys

Head coach: Rob Moulton

Assistant coaches: Mike Harth, John Centak, Alayna Martincheck, Andrew Nelson, Olivia Jendrzejewski, Hilari Kilheeney, Mike Kilheeney, Shelby Foster, Avery Meredick, Josh Hooper, Aaron Keller

2022 record: 6-0 WVC Division 1 (division champions)

Key returning athletes: Collin Bogdon, Weston Medvetz, Isaac Mertz, James Modrovsky, George Jennings, Ricardo Williams, John Jones, Zach Sheloski, Ryan Kozich, Conor Buckley

Athletes to watch: Raymer Porro, Jaden Shedlock, Hayden Martincheck, Anson Jumper, Mason Staude, Jacob Lettieri, Nate Higgins, Sean Rodgers

Outlook: Although they were hit hard by graduation, the Comets still have a big group of veterans returning, along with some impressive freshmen. If the “scrappy” Comets surprise teams along the way, they could work their way into the WVC Division 1 title picture once again.

Roster

Seniors: George Albright (throws), Luke Barley (sprints), Collin Bogdon (sprints), Conor Buckley (distance), Brady Cook (throws), Gonzalo Lozano (throws),

See CHS TRACK, page 13

HOSTS: Alex & JoAnne Zidock