With dual meet action kicking off this week, we take a quick look at each of the LebCo Boys Track & Field programs and what to expect in 2024.
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Annville-Cleona Dutchmen
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Caitlin Heller – 1st season
Key Returning Athletes: Tim Montijo (Sr.); Alec Tetzlaff (Sr.); Dominic Casciotti (Jr.); Matt Clemson (Jr.); Bryson Fogelsanger (Jr.); Wes Heller (Jr.); Landon Hostetter (Jr.); Jon Shay (Jr.); Oliver Funck (So.) David Moran (So.); Jon Moran (So.); Z Moyer (So.)
Key Returners: Hudson Sellers (So.); Wyatt Mase (So.); Blaine Leitz (Fr.); Jaxon Speece (Fr.); Hunter Troxell (Fr.)
Key Losses: Dylan Clements, Noah Gunderson, Ali Konneh, Jahmar Gonzalez-Allie, Phoenix Music
2023 Record: 4-3 overall, 4-3 in Section 3
Outlook: The Dutchmen enter the 2024 season under first-year head coach Caitlin Heller. In the Fall, she coached the Cross Country team to a State Championship and now welcomes a collection of athletes who have shown a commitment to excellence from across the sports universe at Annville. The strength of this team will be the Distance, led by Landon Hostetter, Matt Clemson, and Oliver Funck. That said, many other talented athletes on this roster will rack up points, such as Jon Shay (throws), David Moran (middle distance), Z Moyer (middle distance), Tim Montijo (hurdles), and Jon Moran (sprints). Look for the Dutchmen to win most of their meets while sending several representatives deep into the postseason.
Cedar Crest Falcons
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Rob Bare – 30th season
Key Returners: Alex Abreu (Sr.); Ben Causak (Sr.); Reed Fretz (Sr.); Nick Lambros (Sr.); Jacob Ruth (Sr.); Jeremiah Santiago (Sr.); Vinay Saraiya (Sr.); Leo Tirado (Sr.); Christian Weaber (Sr.); Arturo Chavez-Ramirez (Jr.); Dylan Groff (Jr.); Alex Kissinger (Jr.); Tristan Long (Jr.); Shade Rahman (Jr.); Malachi Victor (Jr.); Cristian Viveros (Jr.); Jack Waranavage (Jr.); Jack Williams (Jr.); Tony Figueroa (So.); Travis Furmanski (So.); Charlie Joffy (So.); Cameron Tirado (So.); Landen Weaber (So.)
Key Newcomers: Grayson Frankenstein (Jr.); Nate Harbaugh (Jr.); Jackson Burress (So.); Bryce Wampler (So.); Tanner Zimmerman (So.); Michael Durning (Fr.); Toby Felker (Fr.); Avery Highlands (Fr.); Zach Margut (Fr.); James Myer (Fr.); Andrew Ney (Fr.); Aidan Smith (9th– Sprints, PV), Evan Weimer (Fr.); Isaiah Zimmerman (Fr.)
Key Losses: Gabe Lewis (Saint Joe’s); Owen Sparks (IUP); Nick Garman, Izaiah Gonzalez, Kyle Rauchut, J’veon Reyes-Vega
2023 Record: 6-0 overall, 6-0 in Section 1 – Section 1 Champions
Outlook: Cedar Crest won the Section 1 Championship last year and return several key pieces from that unit in 2024. The Falcons did have to say goodbye to several athletes who hold top-end talent, such as Gabe Lewis, who finished 6th in the State 100m and anchored the 4x100m that finished 3rd. However, the one thing about Cedar Crest is that Coach Rob Bare always has the next group of athletes ready to “Pay the Rent.” The Sprints will be led by Leo Tirado, a member of last year’s bronze medal-winning relay team. Look for the Distance crew to shine with talent, including Tyler Furmanski, Tony Figueroa, and Jack Williams. The Throws will thrive with veteran leaders Christian Weaber, Tristan Long, and Nick Lambros. While the list is long, some other athletes to look out for are Alejandro Abreu (sprints/jumps) and Jack Waranavage (hurdles). Also, look out for junior Dylan Groff, a skilled jumper and javelin thrower who will weigh heavily in many decided meets this season. Look out for the depth and overall talent of the Falcons this season as they vie once again to be the top team in Section 1.
ELCO Raiders
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Robert Miller – 16th season
Key Returners: Jackson Conners (Sr.); Logan Kless (Sr.); Elliott Kreider (Sr.); Luke Macchione (Sr.); Camden Marquette (Sr.); Ben Stohler (Sr.); Jake Williams (Sr.); Micah Gray (Jr.); Bryce Hoglund (Jr.); Phillip Horst (Jr.); Chad Keller (Jr.); Harrison Kramer (Jr.); Justin Smucker (Jr.)
Key Newcomers: Avery Kurtz (So.); Griffin Kreider (Fr.)
Key Losses: Colin Daub (Shippensburg), Alden Stickler
2023 Record: 6-1 overall, 6-1 in Section 3
Outlook: Last season, the Raiders were one win away from claiming the Section 3 crown. While they did graduate some talent, much of what led them to six dual meet wins is back this season. They feature a large roster of hardworking young men who create an excellent balance to help them compete in every meet. Jake Williams will be one to watch in the Sprints coming off of his All-State Football season, while Camden Marquette will be back as the team’s top Distance runner after being selected as an All-State Soccer player. The following list includes just some of the Raiders who will look to provide point-scoring wherever they are needed in the lineup this season: Luke Macchione (hurdles), Jackson Conners (hurdles), Chad Keller (distance), Harrison Kramer (jumps), Ben Stohler (jumps), Logan Kless (throws), Elliott Kreider (throws). ELCO put up several dynamic performances a season ago, and now, with another year of experience, they will be worth watching again this season.
Click here for the Lebco Girls Track & Field Season Outlook
Lebanon Cedars
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Tommy Pearson – 3rd season
Key Returners: Jalik Hill (Sr.); Ramon Urena Batista (Sr.); Gavin Sheetz (Jr.)
Key Losses: Owen Arnold-Paine (Sr.); Zahir Stoner (Sr.)
2023 Record: 0-6 overall, 0-6 in Section 1
Outlook: Last season, the Cedars showed a lot of fight even after being put in a challenging situation as they were left without a home track due to construction. Unfortunately, a sinkhole forced them to remain road warriors in 2024. The strength of Lebanon’s team will be their veteran Distance crew will be led by Ramon Urena Batista coming off of State appearances during the Cross Country and Indoor seasons. Additionally, Jalik Hill will be one to watch as he looks to lay his claim as one of the best sprinters in the Lancaster Lebanon League. Coach Pearson will have several athletes at his disposal, especially in the jumps, which, if they work hard and develop each day, could result in a large contingent pushing into the post-season. Look for the Cedars to challenge in several dual meets this season while putting down some top-end performances.
LebCo Boys Track & Field All-County Team: 2023
Northern Lebanon Vikings
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Adam Molinaro – 2nd season
Key Returners: Carter Cheslock (Sr.); Joseph Escobales (Sr.); Tanner Feagley (Sr.); Luke Shaffer (Sr.); Tyler Shunk (Sr.); David Boyer (Jr.); Brenden Ryan (Jr.); Eli Thompson (Jr.); Diego Bustillo (So.); Kael Erdman (So.); Luke Hentz (So.); Kayden Moyer (So.); Connor Troxell (So.)
Key Newcomers: Russell Beers (Jr.); Ben Planken (So.); Jaxin Bush (Fr.); Bryce Yocum (Fr.)
Key Losses: Aidan Bertrand, Alex De Mackiewicz
2023 Record: 2-6 overall, 2-5 in Section 3
Outlook: In Coach Molinaro’s first year, the Vikings won two meets. In 2024, they return with a larger roster full of veteran leaders mixed with talented youth. The Vikings will feature a talented Distance crew led by Tyler Shunk and Luke Hentz, the duo who led Northern Lebanon to States during Cross Country. In the Throws, look for Tanner Feagley to contend for 1st place in the Javelin at nearly every meet. Several athletes on this roster could bring home points, which will result in Viking victories throughout the season.
Palmyra Cougars
Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division
Head Coach: Danny Byrd – 16th season
Key Returners: Mason Bucks (Sr.); Jonathan McDannell (Sr.); Zachary Morrissey (Sr.); Jonathon Beam (Jr.); Jacob Burgess (Jr..); Tyler Burgess (Jr.); Cornelius Cummings (So.)
Key Losses: Eli Becker, Jose Morales, Randy Nihm
2023 Record: 6-0 overall, 6-0 in Keystone – Keystone Champions
Outlook: The Cougars have won four straight Keystone Championships and will be looking to stretch the run to five. Given the talent level they have returning, this could be a likely outcome. Penn State commit Mason Bucks (pole vault) is back after winning silver at States in his junior season. Junior Tyler Burgess (hurdles) also aims to build upon his success after winning two medals at the States last year. A third State medalist recently appeared when Jacob Burgess locked up a 7th place medal in the Long Jump at the Indoor State Championships. Sophomore Cornelius Cummings, last year’s LebCo Distance Runner of the Year, is a top-tier talent that the Cougars will feature throughout this season. Several other stellar athletes are on this roster, including Jonathon Beam, who took 4th at the Tim Cook Invitational this past Saturday. Look for the Cougars not only to have a great chance at repeating as Keystone Champs but to pick up several individual medals at Districts and States.
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