YAIAA boys' track and field top returners
Our YAIAA season previews continue with an event-by-event look around the league's top returning boys' track and field athletes.
Top returning sprinters
Tavian Dorsey, Delone Catholic, sr.: Dorsey had a strong season for Delone Catholic, finishing the year ranked 15th in the state in the 100 meter dash. He advanced to the semifinals in the state championships in that event. Dorsey also finished third in the YAIAA championships in the 200 meter dash.
Kalen Patterson, Dallastown, sr.: Patterson is one of the few returning Wildcat sprinters who competed in last year's league championships. Patterson competed in the 100 and 200 meter dashes.
Kyle Thomas, New Oxford, sr.: Thomas competed in the YAIAA championships in 2015, running the 200 and 400 meter dash.
Top returning distance runners
Patrick Jacobson, Dallastown, jr.: Jacobson finished second in the 1,600 meter run during the YAIAA championships. York Suburban senior Brady Wilt finished ahead of him by .65 seconds.
Dan Filler, Gettysburg, sr.: Filler finished third in the 3,200 meter run during the YAIAA championships and qualified to compete in the District 3 meet. He also took home first place honors at the Tim Cook Memorial Invitational.
Justin Culp, Spring Grove, jr.: Culp finished third in the 1,600 meter run at the YAIAA championships with a time of 4:32.14. He also qualified for districts in the 800 meter dash.
Top returning jumpers `
Ravaughn Dillard, Gettysburg, jr.: The reigning GameTimePA.com track and field Athlete of the Year returns to Gettysburg after accolade filled 2015 season. Dillard won a state title in the triple jump with a mark of 47 feet, 11 inches and also won a YAIAA championship.
Phillip Marshall, York Suburban, sr.: Marshall captured a YAIAA long jump title last season and qualified for the state championships.
Justin Tracy, Dallastown, jr.: After winning a league high jump title last season, Tracy finished 20th in the same event at the AAU Junior Olympics in Norfolk, Virginia.
Top returning pole vaulters
Brady Gladfelter, Eastern York, jr.: The Golden Knight finished fourth in pole vaulting in the YAIAA championships, the highest for an underclassman in the event.
Peter Smith, York Suburban, sr.: Smith competed in the YAIAA championships for the second straight year in 2015, finishing fifth.
Zayne Reese, New Oxford, sr.: Reese also competed in his second straight YAIAA championships last season.
Top returning throwers
Tony Nelo, Dallastown, jr.: Dallastown gets back its league champion in the shot put for the 2016 season. Nelo captured the YAIAA title with a mark of 46-6 and qualified for the District 3 championships.
Brock Hartman, New Oxford, sr.: The New Oxford senior finished fourth in the shot put in the league championships and competed in the District 3 meet. He also had a first place finish in the Dallastown Invitational.
Ben Hurda, Biglerville, sr.: He placed third in the javelin throw in both the YAIAA championships and the District 3 championships.
Mark the calendar
April 16: Bermudian Springs, Delone Catholic, Fairfield, Gettysburg, Littlestown, South Western, York Suburban at Polar Bear Invitational, Northern York High School, 10 a.m.
April 22: Dallastown, Central York, Dover, Eastern York, Hanover, Northeastern, Red Lion, South Western, Susquehannock, West York, William Penn, York County Tech at York Suburban Invitational, 3:30 p.m.
April 22: Delone Catholic, Bermudian Springs, Biglerville, Littlestown, Fairfield, New Oxford at Gettysburg meet, 3:30 p.m.
May 13: YAIAA championships, Dallastown High School