HS TRACK AND FIELD: Lackawanna Track Conference Boys Individual Champions — The Jumps and Pole Vault

This spring, as active high school sports stopped, ON THE BLOG decided to do some research. History has always interested me when it comes to high school sports. I do, of course, hate being asked who is the greatest of all time, because there are just too many factors. Era, running surfaces, training, timing systems, coaching have all improved even in single year increments.

What I always tell people about track and field is:

 

• The clock and tape measures don’t usually lie

• You know greatness when you see it.

What makes the LTC championships so unique is that there is no separation for classifications in the races, which is not how the district or state champions are determined.

So, with this being a week where we normally would crown the latest Lackawanna Track Conference individual event and team champions, let’s take a look at the past champions.

DISCLAIMER Track and field media coverage was hardly a priority way back when, so gathering first names became the most daunting challenge of this project. If there are any missing in the lists, and you know who said person is, please let us know.

 

REMINDERS

 

• ON THE BLOG only looked back to the 1950 season. The championship meet was held for several years before that, however, with only the four schools participating the research capped at a look back at 70 seasons.

 

• The LTC championship meet was dedicated to James McCutcheon in 1967.

 

• Each LTC team was allowed ONE entrant per event from its inception to 1989.

 

• Races were converted to meters following the 1982 season and all records were RETIRED.

 

• The LTC conference meet was put on hiatus following the 1989 season due to a PIAA rule and all meet records were RETIRED.

 

• The LTC conference meet returned in 2005 with Fully Automatic Timing and new meet records were established.

 

• The LTC conference meet was dedicated to Robert Spagna that same season

 

• Champions for Class 3A and Class 2A were crowned starting in 2005.

 

 

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE: 

 

MONDAY: The Hurdles

TUESDAY: The Sprints and Dashes

WEDNESDAY: The Distance

THURSDAY: The Throws

FRIDAY: The Jumps and Pole Vault

SATURDAY: The Relays

 

 

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THE JUMPS AND POLE VAULT

 

 

Long
1950 Bob Gaffney (Central) 20-7.75
1951 Davey Bronstein (Scranton Tech) 19-7
1952 Davey Bronstein (Scranton Tech) 21-3.75 (meet record)
1953 Hubie Graham (West Scranton) 20-0.25
1954 William Colangelo (West Scranton) 19-3
1955 Frank Incavido (Dunmore) 19-2
1956 William Jermyn (West Scranton) 18-9
1957 Andy Scheller (Scranton Tech) 19-9.75
1958 Charles James (West Scranton) 20-0
1959 John Androski (Central) NDA
1960 John Androski (Central) 19-2
1961 John Whalen (Central) 19-0.5
1962 Mike Slagan (Scranton Tech) 20-5.5
1963 Jim Connors (West Scranton) 18-11
1964 Ben Fortese (Dunmore) 19-7.5
1965 Ben Fortese (Dunmore) 19-3
1966 Skip Brinkley (Abington Heights) 21-11 (meet record – retired)
1967 Skip Brinkley (Abington Heights) 20-3.5
1968 Mark Stets (Central) 19-3.5
1969 Ken Kish (West Scranton) 19-9
1970 Ken Kish (West Scranton) 20-1.75
1971 Rick Sorg (Abington Heights) 19-4
1972 Bill Pencek (Scranton Tech) 20-0
1973 Mark Sinkewich (Dunmore) 17-8.5
1974 Rich Sahdrowicz (Central) 20-2
1975 Mike Reilly (Dunmore) 19-3
1976 Mark Cherewka (Riverside) 19-11.5
1977 Mike Molinaro (Central) 19-9
1978 Mike Molinaro (Central) 20-3
1979 Jim McHale (Scranton Prep) 19-8.75
1980 Jack Smeden (Tunkhannock) 20-0.25
1981 Stan Bracey (Tunkhannock) 19-8.75
1982 Don Ranocchia (North Pocono) 20-7
1983 Pat Maloney (Riverside) 19-9.75
1984 Jeff Sparks (Valley View) 21-2.5
1985 Rich Sparks (Valley View) 19-7.5
1986 Rich Sparks (Valley View) 20-0.75
1987 Brett Bachtle (Wallenpaupack) 20-4
1988 Ben Jackson (Scranton Tech) 20-5.5
1989 Ben Jackson (Scranton Tech) 20-5
2005 Mark Rosa (Honesdale) 20-4 (meet record)
2006 Josh Hicks (North Pocono) 20-9 (meet record)
2007 Josh Hicks (North Pocono) 20-9.25 (meet record)
2008 Kevin Spager (Dunmore) 21-2.25 (meet record)
2009 Cody DeBoer (Montrose) 22-10 (meet record)
2010 Lionel Wilson (Honesdale) 22-7.75
2011 Lionel Wilson (Honesdale) 22-1
2012 Jason Vermeulen (Elk Lake) 21-1
2013 Lex Rosario (Delaware Valley) 20-11.75
2014 Lex Rosario (Delaware Valley) 21-0
2015 Alex Long (Western Wayne) 22-1
2016 DaShawn Minnick (West Scranton) 21-5.25
2017 Ky’Ron Harbin (Scranton) 22-7
2018 Ky’Ron Harbin (Scranton) 21-7.5
2019 Quincey Vassel (West Scranton) 21-4.75

 

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Triple
1966 Edward Viduta (Dunmore) 40-4 (meet record)
1967 Mike Fanucci (Dunmore) 40-1
1968 Bill Pardue (Abington Heights) 40-4.5 (meet record)
1969 Dan McGlynn (Central) 39-4
1970 Ken Kish (West Scranton) 40-3.5
1971 Rick Sorg (Abington Heights) 39-7.5
1972 John Trach (Scranton Tech) 36-10
1973 Mark Sinkewich (Dunmore) 39-3.5
1974 Bob Mitchell (Scranton Tech) 40-2.25
1975 Ken Rosencrance (Abington Heights) 40-3.5
1976 Mike Paolucci (Abington Heights) 40-8 (meet record)
1977 John Borosky (Carbondale Area) 40-10 (meet record)
1978 John Borosky (Carbondale Area) 41-2.75 (meet record)
1979 Jesse Fisher (Scranton Tech) 39-3.75
1980 Mike Garvey (Central) 41-0.5
1981 Stan Bracey (Tunkhannock) 40-10

1982 Dennis Burley (Scranton Tech) 43-6 (meet record)
1983 Dennis Burley (Scranton Tech) 44-4 (meet record – retired)
1984 Pat Maloney (Riverside) 42-6
1985 Rich Burns (Riverside) 40-4.75
1986 Rich Sparks (Valley View) 42-4.75
1987 Brett Bachtle (Wallenpaupack) 43-10.5
1988 Rico Williams (Scranton Tech) 41-7.5
1989 Ben Jackson (Scranton Tech) 40-11.25
2005 Chad Wildermuth (Wallenpaupack) 41-3.5 (meet record)
2006 Jon Schmalzle (Wallenpaupack) 41-3.75 (meet record)
2007 Kwesi Wint (Scranton) 43-4.5 (meet record)
2008 Justin Passetti (Abington Heights) 40-8.75
2009 Steve Pachuta (Honesdale) 42-4
2010 Matt Galli (Dunmore) 42-4.5
2011 Matt Galli (Dunmore) 43-9 (meet record)
2012 Maleik Torres (Honesdale) 43-10.25 (meet record)
2013 Gavin O’Donnell (Lakeland) 42-11
2014 Gavin O’Donnell (Lakeland) 44-6 (meet record)
2015 Ky’Ron Harbin (Scranton) 45-5 (meet record)
2016 Alex Long (Western Wayne) 43-3.5
2017 Ky’Ron Harbin (Scranton) 42-9.5
2018 Ky’Ron Harbin (Scranton) 45-11 (meet record)
2019 George Ellis (Scranton) 42-8.25

 

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High
1950 Joe O’Malley (Scranton Tech) 5-7
1951 Jack Hazen (Dunmore) 5-6
1952 Jack Hazen (Dunmore) 5-9
1953 Jack Hazen (Dunmore) 5-8
1954 Dave Setzer (Dunmore) 5-4
1955 Pat Fruehan (Central) 5-8
1956 Pat Fruehan (Central) 6-1 (meet record)
1957 John Tovcimak (Scranton Tech) 5-9
1958 Frank DeStefano (Central) 5-6
1959 Mike Kanavy (Dunmore) 5-4
1960 Barry Seymour (Central) 5-6
Tom McIlwee (Scranton Tech) 5-6
1961 Carl Wolter (Central) 5-1
1962 No result
1963 Bill LaFontaine (Central) 5-4
1964 Eric Serine (Dunmore) 5-8
1965 Gordon Barnhardt (Abington Heights) 5-7
1966 Jim Smith (Dunmore) 5-4
1967 Rawings Smith (Scranton Tech) 5-7
1968 Rawlings Smith (Scranton Tech) 5-8
1969 Jim Berens (Abington Heights) 5-8
1970 Alan Stipp (Scranton Tech) 6-0
1971 Tony Donato (Dunmore) 6-0
1972 Tony Donato (Dunmore) 5-6
1973 Marty Eisele (Dunmore) 5-8
1974 Stuart Frazier (Central) 5-8
1975 Gary Bushko (Abington Heights) 6-0
1976 Jay Robbins (Abington Heights) 5-8
1977 Dave Ogonosky (Riverside) 6-0
1978 Vince Burgio (Lakeland) 5-10
1979 John McGrath (Dunmore) 6-2 (meet record – retired)
1980 Dave Jadick (Lakeland) 6-2 (meet record – retired)
1981 Bob Hicks (North Pocono) 6-0
1982 Keith Gogas (Scranton Tech) 6-0
1983 Bob Holmes (Dunmore) 6-0
1984 Gene Rose (West Scranton) 6-2 (meet record – retired)
1985 Tom Woronko (Central) 5-10
1986 Pat Barry (Abington Heights) 6-0
1987 Jason Garlock (Wallenpaupack) 5-10
1988 Jerry Kapp (West Scranton) 6-2 (meet record – retired)
1989 Blaine Fawcett (Lakeland) 6-2 (meet record – retired)
2005 Zack Carnegie (Wallenpaupack) 6-2 (meet record)
2006 Matt Burke (Abington Heights) 6-2 (meet record)
2007 No event (Rain)
2008 Justin Passetti (Abington Heights) 6-4 (meet record)
2009 Steve Pachuta (Honesdale) 6-4 (meet record)
2010 Steve Pachuta (Honesdale) 6-4 (meet record)
2011 Jake Padula (Honesdale) 6-4 (meet record)
2012 Devon Strubert (North Pocono) 6-6.25 (meet record)
2013 John Rinaldi (Dunmore) 6-4
2014 Cole Acoveno (Delaware Valley) 6-4
2015 Colin Mondi (Montrose) 6-2
2016 Shane Acoveno (Delaware Valley) 6-4
2017 Ky’Ron Harbin (Scranton) 6-6
2018 Ky’Ron Harbin (Scranton) 6-4
2019 Cory Bricourt (Susquehanna) 6-2

 

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Pole
1950 Al Finelli (Dunmore) 10-6
1951 Ray Hamorsky (Taylor) 9-6
1952 Dick Zlotucha (Dunmore) 10-0
1953 Paul McDade (Taylor) 9-10
1954 Bill James (West Scranton) 10-0
1955 Bill James (West Scranton) 11-0 (meet record)
1956 Joe Simms (Scranton Tech) 9-6
1957 Anthony Sibio (West Scranton) 9-8
1958 Wy Gowell (Central) 9-0
Henry Krupski (West Scranton) 9-0
1959 Jim Skaluba (Dunmore) 9-6
1960 Barry Seymour (Central) 9-0
1961 Fred Zang (West Scranton) 9-6
Jimmy Calpin (Central) 9-6
1962 No result
1963 Vito Grippo (Dunmore) 9-0
1964 Michael Lefkowitz (Central) 10-0
1965 John Knott (Scranton Tech) 10-2
1966 John Millhouse (Central) 10-0
1967 Merrick (Central) 10-0
1968 James Smith (Dunmore) 9-6
1969 Dale Muchler (Abington Heights) 10-6
1970 John Gibbs (Abington Heights) 11-6 (meet record)
1971 Robert Muzzi (Abington Heights) 11-6 (meet record)
1972 Dennis Yanoshot (Central) 11-6 (meet record)
1973 Dave Costolnick (Carbondale Area) 9-0
1974 Mark Exeter (Riverside) 10-6
1975 Tom Cerra (Carbondale Area) 10-6
1976 Tom Cerra (Carbondale Area) 11-6 (meet record)
1977 Mike Molinaro (Central) 11-6 (meet record)
1978 Mike Molinaro (Central) 11-6 (meet record)
1979 Paul Benitez (Valley View) 11-0
1980 Paul Benitez (Valley View) 11-6 (meet record)
1981 Tony Rusnak (Lakeland) 11-0
1982 Joe Onukiavage (Valley View) 11-6
1983 Rich Shewack (Central) 12-0 (meet record)
1984 Brian Kelsch (Carbondale Area) 10-6
1985 Bob Nourian (North Pocono) 10-6
1986 Angelo Mattola (Lakeland) 11-0
1987 Chris Massaro (Dunmore) 10-6
1988 Dave Peet (Wallenpaupack) 11-0
1989 Frank Krantz (Lakeland) 14-6 (meet record – retired)
2005 Nick Staats (Montrose) 12-0 (meet record)
2006 Jesse Harr (Delaware Valley) 11-0
2007 No event (Rain)
2008 Cory Poepperling (Montrose) 13-0 (meet record)
2009 Pat Callahan (Abington Heights) 13-6 (meet record)
2010 Tyler Savarese (Delaware Valley) 14-4 (meet record)
2011 Sean Burns (Delaware Valley) 15-0 (meet record)
2012 Ryan Wilkes (Valley View) 13-0
2013 Ryan Wilkes (Valley View) 13-6
2014 Ryan Wilkes (Valley View) 14-6
2015 Ryan Wilkes (Valley View) 16-6 (meet record)
2016 Joe Nally (Mountain View) 13-6
2017 Ryan Atcavage (Western Wayne) 13-0
2018 Alex Langel (Valley View) 11-0
2019 Connor Barnes (Wallenpaupack) 11-6

 

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