Tri-Country Conference "Preview"

(Published weeks ago)
Tri-County Conference
Royal Division
Clearview
Along with a bevy of new faces, Clearview brings back 13 lettermen and none with bigger expectations -- or size – than seniors shot putter Nick Carpo or discus thrower Erik Laskoski.
Coach Dennis Weaver feels such leadership – also provided by distance runner Zachariah Rocco -- should help groom the newcomers. Despite being excited about the team’s dynamic, Weaver feels this is a rebuilding year.
Cumberland
Lose their seniors from last year was expected by coach Greg McGraw. A season-ending football injury to senior hurdler and jumper Tydell Garrison, however, was not.
But after sidelining one, football – or specifically the prodding of senior Andrew Pierce -- brings another to the track in running back Malik Jones, who should help Pierce in the sprints.,
Senior Anthony Figueroa, a state qualifier in the shot put, and Pierce, South Jersey’s top returning javelin thrower, figure to lead this young, rebuilding team in points along with senior vaulters Brad Loatman (cleared 12-6) and Kevin Kuff (11-6).
Delsea
After winning the division title in 2005 and 2006, Delsea shared it with Kingsway and Highland last spring during the same year it beat both teams – and Camden – to win the Group 3 sectional championship and ultimately the Courier-Post Cup.
The Crusaders are hoping for déjà vu, but after graduating a huge trio in All-Groupers Aaron Younger, Melton Diggs and Fred Lavan, it will be difficult for Delsea to win the division again.
While coach Ron Flaim said they might lose some more dual meets, he thinks the team’s strong enough in sprints, jumps, and hurdles to form some formidable relays and possibly defend its sectional championship.
Sprinters Panteleon Okoro, Terrance Burns, Sean McPherson and jumper Joe Gregory will be counted on for scoring, as will many freshman. Flaim said his most improved athlete, hurdler Jay Colon, could surprise others.
Deptford
While the Highlands, Kingsways and Delseas duke it out, Deptford coach Atiba Rose is looking to just improve her team that went 2-4 last year.
Returning 14 lettermen, Rose needs the team to play to its strengths – sprints and weights – to be able to play the spoiler.
Javelin thrower Thomas Wright and Chris Whitley, who placed sixth in the indoor Group 2 sectionals’ 55-meter dash in 6.89, should help toward that goal.
Kingsway
Balanced in all areas save the pole vault, the Dragons look dangerous this year and with senior sprinter RJ Page revved and running, coach Melvin Carter can rightfully consider them bonafide contenders in the division – which they tied for last year -- and beyond.
Proven to be a top sprinter in the state, as well as 42-feet-clearing triple jumper, Page can practically contend at the bigger meets by his lonesome
But ‘practically’ wins nothing, but good thing for the Dragons he’s joined by sprinter Demurri Gaines, who whizzed 6.67 in the 55-meter dash.
If distance runner Ryan Culbreath runs well and Tivo Rivera finds the same outdoor success as he did while running sub 4:40 miles in middle school, the Dragons could dominate. If not, the title is Highland’s.
Williamstown
Returning nine letterman and losing six, the Brave bring more depth to the track this season and consequently higher goals.
While his team is solid in distance and sprints, 19-year coach Mark Suk expects senior all-around athlete Glen Williams, junior shot putter Tyrone Conley and junior javelin thrower Lawrence Johnson to help improve upon their 2-4 season in 2007.

Diamond Division
Glassboro
Even though a soul legend already did so 40 years ago, junior sprinter James Brown made a name for himself this winter, ultimately finishing fifth in the Indoor Meet of Champs’ 55-meter dash in 6.53, second fastest in South Jersey.
Although his times outdoor have yet to be seen, his presence, coupled with that of speedy juniors Lamere Buchanan, Tariq Gaines and Ryan Chance, improves the Bulldogs (5-1) greatly. If the team can weather a weak weight team, it can contend with Penns Grove for the title.
Penns Grove
Fifteen lettermen return to this division defending squad that has what no other team in the division has – a contender in sprints, throws, jumps and vaults.
Junior sprinter Aaron Hayward was the Group 1 sectional championship in the 100 (10.88) and 200 (21.90) last spring, but with new legs at Glassboro, the Red Devils' chief rival, Hayward will probably need to run faster times in order to repeat.
After graduating shot putters Wayne Scott and Dymier Sharper, senior Tyree Rudolph stepped in, placing second at Group 1 sectionals with a toss of 46-0.75. Junior Steven Brown also placed second at sectionals with a long jump of 21-01.
Also a hurdler, pole vaulting junior Shawill Green can clear 12-0. Add this balance together and you get the favorites in the division and the group.
Schalick
Coach Steve Pierangeli hopes a large turnout can help fill some new glaring holes created by a costly graduation.
Losing eight key athletes to graduation, including All-Group hurdler Jeremy Simkins, has Schalick hurting in every area besides distance running, jumps and shot put.
The Cougars' four seniors, jumper Matt Kates, distance runner Eric DuBois and shot putters Kyle Jemp (45 feet) and Andrew Johnson (43), are sure to score points but even still, it may be hard for Schalick to shake its lack of depth or to match its 3-2 record last year.
Woodstown
A large return of lettermen, 13, compared to those lost, 2, is the first of hopefully many signs of improvement for coach Ryn Tencza’s Woodies (2-3).
A large number of sprinters and throwers should produce some solid relays and tandems, none more valuable than senior javelin thrower Brian Owens, a national qualifier who threw 180-11 last year.

Classic Division
Gloucester
First-year coach Jennifer Tomkow is counting on some first-year jumpers along with 11 lettermen.
After graduating seven lettermen, four-year sprinter Shehab Uddin is one of only several upperclassmen to lead a young inexperienced team.
Still Tomkow said jumping newcomers, Ryan Harter and Steven Kumpf, and transfer pole vaulter Frank Heitman should give the Lions (1-4) a lift.
Pennsville
Two-time division champs, the Eagles (5-0) return 10 this season and part with 8.
Holes caused by graduations, particularly in speed events, have 29-year coach John Maniglia depending on several young replacements.
Until they pan out, Maniglia is relying on strong distance runners Mark Kearney, TJ Mowers and Matt Powers, All-Group pole vaulter Neco Nociti and shot putter Joe Ecret, among others, to score points. It shouldn’t take many to win this division.

FIVE TO WATCH
Robert Page, Kingsway, Sr. – A guard in the winter, Page will try to reestablish himself as one of the state's top sprinters this spring. Placing in the top three in the 100, 400 (49.71) and triple jump (42-2.25) at the South Jersey Group 3 Championships last spring, including a victory in the 200, Page can take a better Kingsway's team farther this spring.

Panteleon Okoro, Delsea, Sr. – Call him Panteleon or by his middle name, Udochi, just don't call Okoro slow. The senior -- left to build on the Crusaders' 2007 championship season in the rubble left over by the graduations of Aaron Younger, Melton Diggs and Fred Lavan -- has just fine this winter, placing second in the State Group 2 Championships' 55-meter dash (6.64), the 400 (51.27) and the 4x400 (3:31.11). A fearless competitor, Okoro has the goods to make this another special season.

James Brown, Glassboro, Sr. – Another elite sprinter from Tri-County, Brown came onto the scene this winter as one of South Jersey's biggest surprises. After placing second in the 55-meter dash at both SJ Group 1 Championships and State Group 1 Championships, the senior ran a personal-best 6.53 for fifth at the Meet of Champs. The time was the second fastest in South Jersey last winter and, yes, he feels good!

Andrew Pierce, Cumberland, Jr. – Even as a sophomore last year, Pierce was among the best javelin throwers in the state. Now, a year later, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that Pierce, the seventh-place finisher at the Outdoor Meet of Champions, is South Jersey's best returning thrower, having speared 181-07 twice last spring. Pierce should keep Cumberland on the scoreboard for most of the spring.

Eddie Zubrzycki, Highland, Jr. – Gearing up for that next size pole is always a challenge and one that got the best of the junior vaulter during the indoor championship season. Still, people know what he's capable of – like a 14-0 clearance at an Olympic Conference meet to beat two-time Meet of Champs winner West Deptford's Dan Batdorf – and, more importantly, he knows. Expect him to regain form, sky new personal heights and give the Tartans an edge over other contenders.