Hampton boys track relies on seniors
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Friday, April 13, 2018 | 12:36 AM
This Hampton boys track and field squad might not have a WPIAL gold medalist like last season, but it has plenty of seniors who aren't lacking in effort or discouraged by results.
After dropping its first two matches of the season by a combined five points to section rivals Kiski Area and Mars, the boys came roaring back with a decisive 114-25 victory over Highlands.
It didn't help senior and returning state qualifier Mike Yakich started the season in a cast with a broken wrist. The other state qualifier, WPIAL champion triple-jumper Jason Goodman, is enrolled at Slippery Rock.
“The boys are doing better than we probably anticipated after losing Jason,” coach Derek Brinkley said.
“Sometimes it's a double-edged sword starting in conference. Usually Mars, Kiski, Knoch and us tend to be the four strongest, so to have (Mars and Kiski) early, you get excited, but you get nervous because you're not sure what's going to happen.”
Yakich, unable to hurdle with a cast but still allowed to run, made up for his absence in the hurdles by scoring in the 100- and 200-meter sprints.
He was covered by fellow senior Ben Brandeis, who took victories in the 110 and 300 hurdles.
“As the year ended last year, Ben was actually the best 300 hurdler and Mike was just behind him. In the highs (110), Mike was better. Mike may jump this year, but toward the end of the year he really focuses on those hurdles, unless he can qualify for the jumps.”
Senior Jonah Wyzomirski and junior Matt Gust have performed well in the 400 as well as the 1,600 and 3,200 relay teams.
“Those four on the track we have relied on,” Brinkley said. “They're having a great start. They practice well, and the kids look up to them.”
They are joined on the 3,200 by junior distance runner Joey Cafaro, who nearly made states as a cross country runner last fall, and freshman Cory Letterle. Wyzomirski, Gust and Letterle also are trying to pull the 1,600 team together with a rotating fourth. Brinkley sees potential but needs to judge how they measure up versus solid competition Friday at the Butler Invitational.
“They might be able to do fairly decent. Everybody wants to be in that top 24 at WPIAL, but we want in that top 12 so we can get in the top heat. When we go to Butler, it's going to show how good they are, when they're running with the pack the whole time.”
Seniors Aaron White and Jesse Berzonski have been scoring in the throwing events, as well.
“I can't say it's been track. They've been holding their own up top … really, most of the guys that we're relying on this year are seniors.”
Devon Moore is a freelance writer.
Tags: Hampton
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