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Chambersburg track teams counting on youngsters


Typically, the Chambersburg track & field teams are blessed with a good number of strong returners and solid depth.

That's still probably true of the Trojan girls team, especially on the track, but the boys team may need to get a large boost from a talented freshmen class.

"We're doing a lot of teaching now," Chambersburg boys coach Bob Walker said. "We do have some talent, but our depth is a question. A lot of years when we're up at the top (of the division), we'll have around six studs and usually around three good people in each event. This year I'd say we have around one or two per event."

The Trojans open Tuesday at home vs. Cumberland Valley at 3:45.

The girls should be strong in the distance and sprint events and have a few other quality performers spread around.

Chambersburg girls coach Chris Monheim said, "We have to figure out all the pieces for our relays, but we have the potential for three good ones. In the field we definitely have some spots we'll fill with newcomers. We have 62 kids, which is down about 10 or 12 from last year, but that's plenty. The thing is we have a lot of really raw kids."

The girls' top performers should be distance runners Abby Yourkavitch, Kaylee Mowery and Cadie Kiser, and sprinter Cirsten Kelly.

"The three girls in distance give us a very strong trio who have a ton of big meet experience," Monheim said. "Abby and Kaylee both got to states last year and hope to get back and potentially medal this year."

Kelly is a proven veteran in the sprints and will team up with Camryn Greenlee and freshman Arianna Appenzellar in the relays. Monheim said the team has a large group of hurdlers, which is unusual.

Reagan Winebrenner is the team's top thrower, especially in the shot put: "She should be one of the top girls in the Mid Penn," Monheim said.

The Trojans also have three quality pole vaulters - Jocelyn Kibbe, Abby Zeger and Jaelynn Walker.

"They're all experienced and we could have all three over 10 feet by the end of the season," Monheim said. "We've got a couple of studs to get us points in the invitationals and if we develop these young kids, we could be a really solid dual meet team."

Walker believes his team will have a rough time handling at least three teams (State College, Carlisle and CD East) in dual meets, but he welcomes the challenge.

"Every dual meet we have is tough, and I like that," he said. "The kids learn how to compete week in and week out against a high level of competitors, and we hope to make some noise in the invitationals."

The top returner for the Trojans is thrower Kelton Chastulik, especially in the shot put and discus - he won Mid Penn titles in both events last spring.

Walker said, "Kelton has set some high goals this year, and he hopes to qualify for the Penn Relays."

Chris Wurtz, Alex Hayden, Matt Hoover and Andrew Feldman form a good corps of distance veterans, and Darius Johnson and Caleb Thompson have experience in the longer sprints. Kory Harris and Tyler Fritz lead the sprinters.

However, freshmen such as Quintan Barbour, Amin Butler and Jamison Gonzalez could make an impact.

"Barbour ran a 52.9 400 in middle school," Walker said. "In a few years he could be something really special."

Evan Vink returns as the top pole vaulter, Fritz, Johnson and Kammeron Green are leaders in the jumps, with Sean McCormick and Ezechiel Cadet taking care of the high jump.

Notes: Walker said he hoped to have a strong 4 x 800 relay, with only one member graduating, but Ali Brown transferred to Carlisle and Tanner Amsley is playing baseball ... Kelly and Yourkavitch qualified for indoor states ... Caroline Hance is a freshman who could help in the hurdles ... Both coaches think State College is the favorite to win MPC Commonwealth titles ... Chambersburg hosts the Tim Cook Invitational on April 16 and the Mid Penn championships on May 14.

Trojan boys at a glance

Coach: Bob Walker, 12th year, 64-13 (.831).

Last year: 4-3 (4-3 Mid Penn Commonwealth Division).

Returning athletes: Kelton Chastulik (jr., throws); Tyler Fritz (sr., jumps, sprints); Evan Vink (sr., pole vault); Chris Wurtz (sr., distance); Alex Hayden (sr., distance); Kory Harris (jr., sprints); Darius Johnson (sr., sprints); Quinn Mangan (jr., distance); Myles Braxton (jr., throws); Andrew Feldman (jr., distance); Caleb Thompson (jr., sprints); Matt Hoover (so., distance).

Other top athletes: Kammeron Green (sr., sprints, jumps); Christian Ortiz (sr., sprints); Josue Chacon (so., sprints); Jamison Gonzalez (fr., sprints); Quintan Barbour (fr., sprints); Amin Butler (fr., sprints); James Merkle (fr., distance); Brandon Sewell (sr., jumps); Jaron Pensinger (jr., hurdles); Trayton Barnette (fr., hurdles); Thomas Langdon (fr., hurdles); Derek Moore (so., throws); Nathan Reed (so., throws); Kendrick Diehl (fr., throws); Sean McCormick (so., jumps); Donovan Hylton (sr., jumps); Ezechiel Cadet (sr., high jump); Grant Schoenhofen (fr., jumps); Brandon Alford (jr., throws).

Season opener: Tuesday, at home vs. Cumberland Valley, 3:45.

Trojan girls at a glance

Coach: Chris Monheim, 14th year, 75-19 (.798).

Last year: 4-3 (4-3 Mid Penn Commonwealth Division).

Returning athletes: Cirsten Kelly (sr., sprints); Abby Yourkavitch (so., distance); Reagan Winebrenner (so., throws); Kaylee Mowery (so., distance); Cadie Kiser (jr., distance); Camryn Greenlee (jr., sprints); Cassie Essis (sr., distance); Kira Monson (jumps); Atachnee Julsaint (sr., jumps); Jocelyn Kibbe (sr., jumps, pole vault); Abby Zeger (sr., jumps, pole vault); Jaelynn Walker (pole vault).

Other top athletes: Katie Carbaugh (jr., throws); Mathia McKay (sr., throws); Neyda Robles (sr., throws), Ingrid Lee (sr., throws); Brynn Vandegriff (so., throws); Maya Washington (so., jumps, hurdles); Livvy Sommers (jr., distance); Danessa Martin (jr., distance); Robyn Guarriello (sr., hurdles); Juanita Fisak (sr., hurdles); Caroline Hance (fr., hurdles); Sydnie Gilbert (fr., hurdles); Arianna Appenzellar (fr., sprints).

Season opener: Tuesday, at home vs. Cumberland Valley, 3:45.