LebCo Boys Track & Field Season Outlook: 2026

Lebanon County’s Track & Field scene should again feature a little bit of everything this spring, from reigning State champions and District gold medalists to deep veteran groups and teams looking to build on strong 2025 finishes.

Cedar Crest, Palmyra, and Annville-Cleona all bring back proven postseason talent, while Northern Lebanon, ELCO, and Lebanon each return enough experience to believe they can take a step forward. Across the county, the storylines range from established stars chasing more big-meet success to developing rosters trying to push more athletes into District and State contention.

As always, be sure to check LebCoSports.com throughout the season for updates.

LebCo Girls Track & Field Season Outlook

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Annville-Cleona Dutchmen 

Lancaster Lebanon League

Section 3

Head Coach: Jeff Hartung – 1st season

Key Returners: Oliver Funck (Sr., Distance), David Moran (Sr., Distance), Jon Moran (Sr., Sprints), Hudson Sellers (Sr., Throws), Ben Boyd (Jr., Distance), Jaylynn Moyer (So., Sprints), Dominic Wentling (So., Throws)

Rising Contributors: Logan Francis (Sr., Sprints), Hunter Troxell (Jr., Distance), Yama Navaro (Jr., Sprints), Daniel Shay (So.), Ben Allwein (Fr., Jumps), Sam Cantor (Fr., Sprints), Bode Garney (Fr., Sprints), William Green (Throwers)

Key Losses: Landon Hostetter, Dominic Basselgia (Penn State Harrisburg), Matthew Clemson

Season Outlook

When a team returns a reigning State champion, that is naturally where the conversation begins. For Annville-Cleona, David Moran remains the centerpiece after winning the PIAA Class AA title in the 800m, along with District 3 AA and County Meet titles in the event. He also ran on the Dutchmen’s District 3 AA champion 4x800m Relay, giving Annville-Cleona one of the strongest returning postseason anchors in the area.

But Moran is hardly the only reason for optimism. Oliver Funck returns after taking silver in the 1600m at Districts, while Ben Boyd gives the Distance group another experienced piece. Elsewhere, Jon Moran is back in the Sprints, and Hudson Sellers and Dominic Wentling return in the Throws. That gives the Dutchmen a solid foundation across several event areas, not just in the Distance events.

There is also enough room for new contributors to emerge around that core. Logan Francis, Hunter Troxell, and Yama Navaro are among the upperclassmen who could help, while Ben Allwein, Sam Cantor, and Bode Garney are younger athletes to watch. With elite top-end talent and a returning group that should help support it, Annville-Cleona has the pieces to stay competitive and remain a postseason factor.

Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League

Section 1

Head Coach: Rob Bare – 32nd season

Key Returners: Max Fleischer (Sr., Jumps/Hurdles), Tony Figueroa (Sr., Distance), Travis Furmanski (Sr., Distance), Wyatt Fox (Sr., Throws), Romeo Mercado (Sr., Pole Vault), Justin Moreno (Sr., Hurdles), Cam Tirado (Sr., Jumps), Bryce Wampler (Sr., Mid-Distance), Landen Weaber (Sr., Sprints), Tanner Zimmerman (Sr., Throws), James Engle (Jr., Distance), Zach Margut (Jr., Mid-Distance), Isaiah Zimmerman (Jr., Sprints), Shawn Alexander (So., Mid-Distance), Avery Gatto (So., Distance), Hayden Snavely (So., Mid-Distance), Wyatt Wolfe (So., Distance)

Rising Contributors: Henry Wengert (So., Distance), Andy Appiah (So., Jumps), Ben Garland (So., Throws), Dominic Cuthie (Fr., Jumps), Owen Erby (Fr., Mid-Distance), Adam Mathana (Fr., Jumps), Griffin Schomp (Fr., Throws), Ryan Zartman (Fr., Distance)

Key Losses: Alex Kissinger, Tristan Long, Jack Waranavage

Season Outlook

After going 5-1, sharing the LL Section 1 title, and winning the Lebanon County Championship, Cedar Crest enters 2026 looking like a team that should again be in the mix. The Falcons return high-end postseason talent led by Travis Furmanski, who took silver at District 3 in the 3200m in 9:22.36 before later earning a 7th-place medal at the PIAA State Championships. Even more impressive, Furmanski enters the spring as Pennsylvania’s reigning Cross Country State champion and is committed to Ole Miss. Among last year’s medalists, Cam Tirado  returns after placing 5th at Districts in the High Jump to qualify for States, then bringing home a 7th-place at States.

The strength of the lineup goes beyond those headliners. Max Fleischer gives Cedar Crest another proven postseason piece after winning the LL League title in the Triple Jump, while Tony Figueroa, Bryce Wampler, James Engle, and Zach Margut give the Falcons strong returning groups in the Distance and Mid-Distance events. Landen Weaber, committed to Monmouth University, also gives Cedar Crest an experienced sprint piece, while Wyatt Fox, Tanner Zimmerman, Romeo Mercado, Justin Moreno, and the football team’s star running back Isaiah Zimmerman add returning experience across the Throws, Pole Vault, Hurdles, and Sprints.

There is also enough young depth to keep the roster strong as the season moves along. Henry Wengert, Ryan Zartman, Owen Erby, Dominic Cuthie, Adam Mathana, and Griffin Schomp are among the newcomers who could help add points and depth.

With State-level talent back and proven experience across nearly every event group, Cedar Crest should again be one of the county’s top teams this spring.

ELCO Raiders  

Lancaster Lebanon League

Section 3

Head Coach: Robert Miller – 18th season

Key Returners: Cole Doster (Sr., Distance), Sam Keener (Sr., Pole Vault), Dalton Pyszka (Sr., Throws), Collin Readinger (Sr., Sprints), Avery Kurtz (Throws), Ben Macchione (Distance)

Rising Contributors: Darryl Legrande (So., Sprints/Jumps), Jordan Ward, Mason Yoder

Key Losses: Chad Keller (Lebanon Valley)

Season Outlook

ELCO heads into 2026 with a chance to build on the progress it showed last season. The Raiders were a young group a year ago, and that added experience should help as they try to take another step this spring.

A big reason for that optimism is the number of returning athletes who already have postseason experience. Avery Kurtzis back after qualifying for Districts in the Discus, Ben Macchione and Cole Doster return from a District-qualifying 4x800m Relay, and Sam Keener comes back after reaching Districts in the Pole Vault. That gives ELCO proven pieces in both the track and field events.

The Raiders also expect a younger group to help strengthen the lineup. Darryl Legrande is one of the names to watch in the Sprints and Jumps, and the roster as a whole should have more depth because of the experience gained last year.

ELCO may not have the same kind of State-level returner as some other county programs, but it does have enough District-tested athletes to believe another strong season is within reach.

Lebanon Cedars

LancasterLebanon League

Section 1

Head Coach: Keith Rolon – 2nd season

Key Returners: Malachi Briddell (Sr., Sprints), Camron Buchmoyer (Sr., Throws), Elis Bentez (Sr., Throws), Thaddeous Gilbert (Sr., Middle Distance), Jaeqwan Johnson (Sr., Middle Distance), Eddie Ferrer (Sr., Jumps), Davonte Montanez (Sr., Sprints), Samuel Hershey (Jr., Distance), Jovie Martinez (So., Distance)

Rising Contributors: Khalier Sierra Rivera, Yassine Hakam, Ayden Ortiz, Gauge Soliday, Cesarlin Acosta

Key Losses: Gavin Sheetz (West Chester), Owen Kreider (Lebanon Valley)

Season Outlook

For Lebanon, the 2026 season again centers on development, improvement, and trying to push more athletes toward the postseason. By the program’s standards, last year was a strong one, with 90 percent of the roster improving either in-season or in career personal bests.

A key piece of that foundation returns in the middle distance group. Thaddeous Gilbert and Jaeqwan Johnson are back from Lebanon’s 4x800m Relay, which posted the county’s top time and placed 7th at Districts. That gives the Cedars proven District-level experience in one of their better event groups from a year ago. Sammy Hershey and Josie Martinez will add to the depth that the Cedars will carry into distance events.

Lebanon also has veteran help in several other areas. Eddie Ferrer is back for his senior season in the jumps, while Malachi Briddell and Davonte Montanez return in the Sprints. Camron Buchmoyer and Elis Bentez will look to lead the Cedars in the Throws.

With strong numbers again, including a 70-athlete roster, the Cedars have the kind of base that should help them keep building and continue sending more athletes toward Districts.

Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League

Section 3

Head Coach: Adam Molinaro – 4th season

Key Returners: Jason Bishop (Sr.), Collin Cheslock (Sr.), Kael Erdman (Sr.), Josiah Kelly (Sr.), Ben Planken (Sr.), Tucker Reiber (Sr.), Connor Troxell (Sr.), Johnny Hilton (Jr.), Brady Ryan (Jr.), Bryce Yocum (Jr.), Cody Leedy (So.), Anthony Frederick, Diego Bustillo, Luke Hentz, Levi Bucks, Andrew Stohler, Thaddeus Raub

Rising Contributors: Isaac Bruce (Sr.), Trevor Camasta, Trent Walborn, Emeri Kreiser (Fr.), Isaiah Lex (Fr.), Vincent Moyer (Fr.), Evan Snyder (Fr.), Ty Martin

Season Outlook

Experience is the clearest starting point for Northern Lebanon entering the 2026 season. After going 5-3 a year ago, the Vikings bring back a large senior class and enough returning pieces to believe they can take another step forward this spring.

That veteran core includes Jason Bishop, Collin Cheslock, Kael Erdman, Josiah Kelly, Ben Planken, Tucker Reiber, and Connor Troxell, giving Northern Lebanon leadership across the roster. Just as important, the Vikings also bring back juniors like Johnny Hilton, Brady Ryan, and Bryce Yocum, along with Cody Leedy, who adds another younger piece with varsity experience. There may not be as many returning District or State headliners here as with some of the county’s other teams, but the overall roster depth should help Northern Lebanon stay competitive throughout the season.

The next step for the Vikings will be turning that experience into broader team growth. Isaiah Lex, Emeri Kreiser, Vincent Moyer, and Evan Snyder are among the freshmen who could grow into roles, while Isaac Bruce gives the team another experienced option.

With the senior class leading the way and younger athletes working into the lineup, Northern Lebanon has the pieces to improve its league standing and push more athletes toward Districts.

Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference

Keystone Division

Head Coach: Danny Byrd – 18th season

Key Returners: Jaxton Barger (Sr., Pole Vault), Cornelius Cummings (Sr., Distance), Josh Miller (Sr., Distance), Travis McDannell (Sr., Sprints), Evan Mosser (Sr., High Jump), Josh Tshudy (Jr., Discus/Shot Put)

Rising Contributors: [Add if needed]

Key Losses: Tyler Burgess (Texas Tech), Jacob Burgess (Pitt), Landon Weldon (Penn State Harrisburg), Noah Stewart, Jonathan Beam (Delaware Valley)

Season Outlook

Palmyra enters 2026 coming off a remarkable season that included a 6th straight Keystone Division championship, followed by Mid-Penn Conference and District 3 team titles and a PIAA runner-up finish. Even after graduating some elite talent, the Cougars still bring back proven postseason athletes in several key areas.

The returning group starts with Jaxton Barger, who won the District 3 title in the Pole Vault, and Travis McDannell, who ran on Palmyra’s District 3 champion 4x100m Relay and also qualified individually for Districts in both the 100m and 200m. Josh Tshudy also returns after qualifying for Districts in the Discus, while Cornelius Cummings, Josh Miller, and Evan Mosser give the Cougars experienced upperclassmen in other areas of the lineup.

Palmyra’s biggest challenge will be replacing the extraordinary production of its graduated stars, but the better starting point is that the Cougars are not rebuilding from the ground up. They still have athletes with District-level experience, relay success, and championship-meet familiarity. With that kind of returning foundation, Palmyra should remain competitive in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division and continue pushing athletes into the postseason.