Youth seems to be the keyword on the track at Lake Orion this year, and the Dragon coaches are excited about the potential of their squads.
On the boys side, an experienced crew of sprinters should lead the way for Coach Stan Ford, who has a roster of 124 athletes.
Captains Craig Lamoria and Aaron Allen lead a squad that includes David Wurst, J.P. Findley and Robby Lentz.
Wurst is especially strong in the 200, Findley doubles as the team’s best long jumper and Lentz is a sophomore who wears many hats, including long jump.
‘It’s like we’re rebuilding in one area and strong in another,? Ford said. ‘Our hope is that we’ll have enough balance to score.?
One young area is distance, where Captain Max Hock leads a group of mainly underclassmen.
Kyle Lawton is a junior with valuable experience and Ryan Ziolko returns as a sophomore after an All-State campaign in cross country. Sophomore Doug Mack and freshmen Sean Bone and Nathan Ziolko will provide depth.
In field events high jumper Alex Hare and pole vaulter Kyle Johns, who has twice recorded jumps of 13?3? this offseason, lead the way.
Pole vault is not included in OAA meets, but competitions are held at regionals and states.
‘He’s probably the class of the team,? Ford said of Johns.
Tony Thompson, a senior, is the team’s fourth captain, specializing in shot put and discus.
‘He had a nice season last year,? Ford noted.
Shaun Vernon and Ethan Ruhland will also provide points for the Dragons.
‘We’ve graduated heavy the past couple of years in hurdles,? Ford said, noting that Lentz and junior Niklas Rippon will help carry the load.
‘We’ve got enough people out that hopefully we can continue to fill the gaps,? he added. ‘Balance will be the key.?
With such a huge roster, Ford said he’s finding out something new about his team every day.
‘It’s going to be an exciting year because we have some young talent,? Ford said. ‘It’s going to be fun to watch them develop.?
The squad went 7-0 in the OAA I last year and will look to continue their dominance in dual meets.
‘We’re a really good dual meet team,? Ford said. ‘I like having that team aspect.?
‘It will be tighter,? Ford added of the league race. ‘A lot will depend on how we fill the gaps.?
Though not as deep, the girls team is right on the heels of the boys when it comes to young talent.
‘I see a lot of enthusiasm,? Coach Sharon Kline said of her squad, which is about 55 members strong. ‘They’re working hard.?
The team returns distance runner Allie Hock and most of their 4X400 relay team, both state qualifiers a year ago.
Hock was All-State in cross country and Distance Coach Debi Sherman would like to see her add a new race to her repertoire, the mile.
‘She’s good at the two-mile, but it’s good to see her change things up a bit,? Sherman said. ‘I think she’ll be a strong miler.?
Sherman said that Hock would still focus most of her energy on her stronger event, however.
Renae Riley will also see some time running the mile after a strong season in the 800 last year.
‘We’ve got some work to do to get more girls into the longer distances,? Sherman said.
Jessica and Katie Dorse return some valuable experience as well, and Sherman said Catherine Miller and Sydney Gutierrez will be strong contenders at the freshman county meet.
Gutierrez and Miller aren’t alone when it comes to freshman noise-makers.
‘We have some promising freshmen,? Kline said, noting Chira Allen and Stephanie Britton highlight the bunch on the sprint side of things.
Other key members of Kline’s squad are Katie Valko (long jump), Val Gadoshian (sprints) and the currently injured Cortney Kimmel (hurdles).
‘We’re young and we have some tough competition,? Kline said, adding that the OAA I is very deep and talented this season.
The tough league schedule kicks off with a tri-meet that pits the Dragons against powerhouse teams Clarkston and Adams (for the full schedule, see inset).
‘Down the road, it will make them stronger,? Kline noted. ‘It will certainly give them something to strive for.?
Kline said her goal is for each athlete to set a new personal record every time out.
‘It’s going to take a lot of teamwork,? she said. ‘But I’m really proud of the way they’ve worked so far.?