When the Lackawanna Track Conference officials and coaches agreed that the best course of action for the future would be to separate its 22 teams into four divisions to counter the mostly frustrating weather in NEPA and to continue in the goal of maintaining an open date where teams so athletes who compete at a high level can attend invitational meets across the state, it did create some concerns.

Too few dual meets, and quickly evaporating regular seasons, opened the door to apathy among those who simply found themselves only practicing.

It also created almost unstoppable track and field power programs.

Sometimes, dynasties are good for sports — especially for a fan base (see the New England Patriots) — but in high school athletics, while we heap praise and often are in awe of the consistency of excellence at some schools, it can create a ho-hum atmosphere when trying to promote the “big” meets.

Well, for the first time in a very long time, a meet that projected to be one in the LTC Division III, delivered.

Since the move to four divisions, Lakeland, which had always competed in Division I, had re-established itself as a track super power. And in this sport, success breeds success because the more kids on the roster creates more depth in the events. For six years, the Chiefs did not lose a dual meet. The streak reached 39 straight wins. And they had been so dominant, most meets were over in the blink of an eye.

 

Lakeland average margin of victory in Division III

(maximum of 150 points in a dual meet)

 

• 2016: 69.8 points

 

• 2017: 64.0 points

 

• 2018: 65.0 points

 

• 2019: 93.0 points (First three meets)

 

 

Then, along came Mid Valley.

The Spartans really started to close the gap last year in an 85-64 loss to the Chiefs. Most of Mid Valley’s lineup returned this spring, and the division coaches picked it as the favorite to dethrone Lakeland, which had big holes to fill in its lineup with the graduation of four-year star Cy Babcanec.

Mid Valley was also coming off an impressive showing at the James Roddick Invitational at Shippensburg University. The Spartans needed an extra van for all the hardware they brought home, and they finished as the runner-up in the team standings.

It all set the stage for an incredible dual meet — one that exceeded expectations.

 

 

 

 

Here is the chronology of what went down at Lakeland Stadium.

(NOTE: Teams are awarded 5 points for first, 3 for second, 1 for third in individual races, and relay winners earn 5 points)

 

First gun fires!

3200 Relay: Mid Valley (Pacyna, Vituszynski, Piorkowski, Brudnicki): Mid Valley 5, Lakeland 0

110 Hurdles: Josh Zarnowski (MV) 15.5, Nolan (LAK), Dalzell (MV). Mid Valley 11, Lakeland 3

100: Christian Chakiris (MV) 11.3, T, Pidgeon (LAK), Good (LAK). Mid Valley 16, Lakeland 6

Shot: CJ Dippre (LAK) 47-9, Rebar (MV), Thomas (LAK). Mid Valley 19, Lakeland 12

1600: Josh Vituszynski (MV) 4:52.5, Snee (MV), Noldy (LAK). Mid Valley 27, Lakeland 13

400 Relay: Lakeland (N.Vigil, Good, Snipes, Wentovich) 44.9. Mid Valley 27, Lakeland 18

400: Thomas Pidgeon (LAK) 52.4, Rosencrans (MV), M. Pidgeon (LAK). Mid Valley 30, Lakeland 24

300 Hurdles: Gideon Dalzell (MV) 41.5, Nolan (LAK), Ferke (MV). Mid Valley 36, Lakeland 27

800: Sebastian Brudnicki (MV) 2:02.2, McGowan (LAK), Piorkowski (MV). Mid Valley 42, Lakeland 30.

Discus: CJ Dippre (LAK) 162-3, Prawdzik (LAK), Rebar (MV). Mid Valley 43, Lakeland 38

200: Christian Chakiris (MV) 22.7, Snipes (LAK), Wentovich (LAK). Mid Valley 48, Lakeland 42

3200: Josh Vituszynski (MV) 10:53.2, Reeves (LAK), Bootz (LAK). Mid Valley 53, Lakeland 46.

Long: Marshall Macknosky (MV) 18-6, N. Vigil (LAK), C. Vigil (LAK). Mid Valley 58, Lakeland 50

Triple: Noah Chup (LAK) 37-8, Macknosky (MV), N.Vigil (LAK). Mid Valley 61, Lakeland 56

High: Brandon Wentovich (LAK) 5-8, Mellon (LAK), Talluto (MV). Lakeland 64, Mid Valley 62 

1600 Relay: Mid Valley (Brudnicki, Dalzell,Chakiris, Rosencrans) 3:29.4. Mid Valley 67, Lakeland 64

• (school record; old mark, 3:33.24, 2010).

 

Javelin: CJ Dippre (LAK) 152-4, Rebar (MV), Beradelli (MV). Mid Valley 71, Lakeland 70.

• 76 points needed to win

 

Pole: Nathan Vigil (LAK) 11-6, Good (LAK), Zarnowski (MV). Lakeland 78, Mid Valley 72

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CHAMPIONS CROWNED

 

OK, we spent a lot of time of the Mid Valley-Lakeland meet and delved deep into the numbers. The ramifications of that outcome earned Lakeland its seventh straight LTC Division III championship. But, the Chiefs were not alone this week.

 

• Lakeland also clinched a tie for the Division III title in the girls meet against Mid Valley.

 

• Montrose secured a tie for the Division IV title in both boys and girls track and field.

 

• Wallenpaupack boys wrapped up the Division II championship in boys track and field.

 

• Abington Heights has earned at least a share of the Division I title in girls track.

 

What remains is what fans hope will be another classic dual meet when Abington Heights visits Scranton on Monday in a boys matchup of unbeaten teams.

 

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

 

 

ABINGTON HEIGHTS

AT 

SCRANTON

MONDAY, 4:15 PM

 

 

Championship histories

 

Abington Heights (15): 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1990, 2008, 2009, 2014.

 

Scranton (5): 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.

 

 

 

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

 

In Division II, Delaware Valley has clinched a tie for its first LTC Division II title since 2006. Congratulations to the Lady Warriors, who own a 3-1 mark, and run a crossover meet against Scranton Prep, which will not count in the standings.

 

MONDAY

• Wallenpaupack at North Pocono: Wallenpaupack needs a win to earn a share of the division title with Delaware Valley.

 

• Honesdale at Western Wayne: Western Wayne needs a win to grab a share of the division title with Delaware Valley and/or Wallenpaupack

 

NOTE: The last time multiple teams shared a division title in girls track and field was in 2006. A record 5 teams shared the Division II title that year, while 3 teams won the Division III crown.

 

 

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RANKINGS

 

 

OK, this week’s poll is not only crammed together for the girls teams, there are actually six teams being recognized. Lakeland began the season “rebuilding” due to heavy graduation losses on the track. But the Lady Chiefs have dominated in Division III and clinched their seventh straight championship and have won 41 straight dual meets to rank third all time in LTC history.

 

NOTABLE GIRLS WIN STREAKS:

 

• Abington Heights: 77 straight from 2007 to present*
• Carbondale Area: 69 straight from 1979 to 1986
• Lakeland: 41 straight from 2012 to present*
• Western Wayne: 40 straight, ending in 2012
• Lakeland: 33 straight from 1995 to 1999
• Honesdale: 24 straight ended in 2002

 

 

 

TOP 5 GIRLS POLL

 

 

	Rank	Team	Record	Previous
	1	Abington Heights LADY COMETS	4—0	1
	2T	Delaware Valley LADY WARRIORS	3—1	2T
	2T	Western Wayne LADY ‘CATS	3—1	2T
	2T	Wallenpaupack LADY BUCKHORNS	3—1	2T
	5T	Montrose LADY METEORS	4—0	5
	5T	Lakeland LADY CHIEFS	4—0	NR

 

 

TOP 5 BOYS POLL

 

 

	Rank	Team	Record	Previous
	1	Wallenpaupack BUCKHORNS	4—0	1
	2	Scranton KNIGHTS	4—0	2
	3	Abington Heights COMETS	4—0	4
	4	Montrose METEORS	4—0	4
	5	Lakeland CHIEFS	4—0	NR

 

 

 

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HONOR ROLL

 

 

This is a listing of the LTC Division leaders. Only the athletes with the top performance in their event in their respective division appear.

 

 

NOTE: LTC dual meets only and include crossover meets that are reported and published in The Times-Tribune. There is .24 seconds added to times to convert to Fully Automatic Times unless FAT clock is used at venue.

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

 

 

EVENT

NAME

MARK

100 H	Calista Marzolino (AH)	15.44
100 H	Trina Barcarola (WW)	15.54
100 H	Mia Chiaro (DUN)	16.44
100 H	Karris Fazzi (BR)	17.04
100	Taliyah Booker (DV)	12.54
100	Ky’Ahni Harbin (SCR)	12.64
100	Chalice Guyette (MON)	13.04
100	Paige Olanovich (RIV)	13.24
100	Abby Springer (DUN)	13.24
1600	Mia Bellucci (SP)	05:20.24
1600	Hannah Perkins (MON)	05:26.64
1600	Laina Bogusta (DV)	05:32.24
1600	Molly Repecki (HC)	05:46.24
400	Mackenzie Turner (WAL)	58.64
400	Gianna Sabatini (AH)	01:00.14
400	Becca Laboranti (MV)	01:03.54
400	Karris Fazzi (BR)	01:05.04
300 H	Trina Barcarola (WW)	47.54
300 H	Mia Chiaro (MV)	49.74
300 H	Anna Scoblick (AH)	50.34
300 H	McKenzie Rhone (SUS)	50.94
800	Gianna Sabatini (AH)	02:22.44
800	Laina Bogusta (DV)	02:29.14
800	Georgia Smith (MON)	02:32.34
800	Skylar Arendt (LAK)	02:34.24
200	Ky’Ahni Harbin (SCR)	26.54
200	Mackenzie Turner (WAL)	26.57
200	Chalice Guyette (MON)	27.84
200	Abby Springer (DUN)	27.94
3200	Mia Bellucci (SP)	11:28.24
3200	Laina Bogusta (DV)	11:58.64
3200	Rachel Korty (CAR)	11:59.54
3200	Krista Jones (EL)	13:03.24
Shot	Mikayla Marino (LAK)	39-11
Shot	Esmeralda Mendez (WW)	33-3
Shot	Tania Grissom (WS)	33-1
Shot	Bethany Burns (SUS)	30-4¼
Discus	Sarah Korty (CAR)	126-0
Discus	Liz Desmet (WAL)	104-5½
Discus	Jill Bird (AH)	101-5
Discus	Miranda Button (MtV)	76-6
Javelin	Ashleigh Gutowski (NP)	106-2
Javelin	Mikayla Marino (LAK)	99-0
Javelin	Tori Duffy (VV)	97-0
Javelin	Kelsey Day (EL)	80-9
Long	Anastasia Ioppolo (WAL)	18-1¼
Long	Calista Marzolino (AH)	16-8½
Long	Dani Heine (AH)	16-8½
Long	Madelynn Perfilio (RIV)	16-3½
Long	Karris Fazzi (BR)	14-1
Triple	Anastasia Ioppolo (WAL)	35-5½
Triple	Dani Heine (AH)	33-7
Triple	Sara Wanat (LAK)	32-7
Triple	Jordan Spencer (LT)	31-6½
High	Calista Marzolino (AH)	5–4
High	Sara Wanat (LAK)	5–4
High	Brooke Acoveno (DV)	5–2
High	Alicia Barkan (MON)	4–8
Pole	Dani Heine (AH)	11–0
Pole	Victoria Atkinson (SP)	11–0
Pole	Trina Barcarola (WW)	11–0
Pole	Sydney Bryla (LAK)	8–0
Pole	Mary Stec (HC)	8–0
Pole	Caroline Stack (MON)	6–6
3200 Relay	Abington Heights	10:13.94
3200 Relay	Delaware Valley	10:52.74
3200 Relay	Lackawanna Trail	11:09.24
3200 Relay	Lakeland	11:37.24
400 Relay	Scranton	51.44
400 Relay	Mountain View	52.94
400 Relay	Western Wayne	53.18
400 Relay	Dunmore	54.54
1600 Relay	Western Wayne	04:18.14
1600 Relay	Abington Heights	04:21.94
1600 Relay	Montrose	04:28.14
1600 Relay	Lakeland	04:31.24

 

 

 

 

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BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

 

 

 

EVENTS

NAME

MARK

110 H	Antonio Maletta (AH)	15.04
110 H	Collin Chidester (MON)	15.34
110 H	Josh Zarnowski (MV)	15.74
110 H	Will Gianesses (DV)	16.34
100	Jahwon Wainwright (SCR)	10.94
100	Darryn Ouk (DV)	11.24
100	Billy Good (LAK)	11.54
100	Christian Chakiris (MV)	11.54
100	Tyler Carey (RIV)	11.54
100	Mason Deakin (SUS)	11.84
1600	Peyton Jones (EL)	04:35.44
1600	Josh Christianson (SCR)	04:36.24
1600	Andrew Healey (HC)	04:40.04
1600	Jack Monte (WAL)	04:41.25
400	Darryn Ouk (DV)	52.24
400	Thomas Pidgeon (LAK)	52.44
400	Matt Tomaine (SP)	53.29
400	Henry Rogers (MON)	53.44
300 H	Antonio Maletta (AH)	40.24
300 H	Collin Chidester (MON)	40.54
300 H	Gideon Dalzell (MV)	41.74
300 H	Gabe Springer (WAL)	43.94
800	Tyler Wirth (WAL)	01:54.58
800	Sebastian Brudnicki (MV)	02:02.44
800	Ethan Mattox (AH)	02:05.64
800	Collin Spellman (MON)	02:09.44
200	Darryn Ouk (DV)	22.64
200	Christian Chakiris (MV)	22.94
200	Rodo Brown (SCR)	23.34
200	Henry Rogers (MON)	23.44
3200	Tyler Wirth (WAL)	09:58.46
3200	Josh Christianson (SCR)	10:06.24
3200	Andrew Healey (HC)	10:14.94
3200	Liam Mead (MON)	10:25.24
Shot	CJ Dippre (LAK)	49-2
Shot	Ryan Flynn (AH)	44-5
Shot	Parker Howell (WW)	43-7½
Shot	Mark Dunckle (LT)	41-0
Discus	CJ Dippre (LAK)	162-3
Discus	Ryan Flynn (AH)	135-10
Discus	Chance Smith (WAL)	134-7
Discus	Mark Dunckle (LT)	122-5
Javelin	Joey Scarfalloto (HON)	174-3
Javelin	Zach Rebar (MV)	165-8
Javelin	Josh Castellani (VV)	155-5
Javelin	Luke Walker (LT)	138-0
Long	Zakeem Quincey Vassell (WS)	21-4¾
Long	James Lynch (DV)	20-7
Long	Marshall Macknosky (MV)	19-10
Long	Mason Deakin (SUS)	19-9
Triple	Zakeem Quincey Vassell (WS)	43-5
Triple	James Lynch (DV)	42-5½
Triple	Mason Deakin (SUS)	39-1½
Triple	Patrick Bennie (HC)	39-0½
High	Gabe Springer (WAL)	6–4
High	Bryce Collins (RIV)	6–3
High	Corey Bricourt (SUS)	6–2
High	George Ellis (SCR)	6–0
High	Jason Boyer (EL)	6–0
Pole	Nicholas Klapatch (AH)	11–6
Pole	Connor Barnes (WAL)	11–6
Pole	Nathan Vigil (LAK)	11–6
Pole	Eli McArthur (BR)	8–6
3200 Relay	Mid Valley	08:51.34
3200 Relay	Abington Heights	08:54.94
3200 Relay	Delaware Valley	09:06.44
3200 Relay	Montrose	09:25.24
400 Relay	Valley View	44.44
400 Relay	Wallenpaupack	44.67
400 Relay	Lakeland	44.84
400 Relay	Montrose	45.84
1600 Relay	Mid Valley	03:29.64
1600 Relay	Western Wayne	03:42.54
1600 Relay	Scranton Prep	03:43.24
1600 Relay	Montrose	03:44.54

NOTE: LTC dual meets only and include crossover meets that are reported and published in The Times-Tribune. There is .24 seconds added to times to convert to Fully Automatic Times unless FAT clock is used at venue.

 

 

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SCHEDULE

 

 

 

MONDAY, APRIL 29

Division I
Abington Heights at Scranton
Division II
Wallenpaupack at North Pocono
Honesdale at Western Wayne
Division III
Carbondale Area at Dunmore
Mid Valley at Riverside
Lakeland at Holy Cross
Division IV
Montrose at Mountain View
Elk Lake at Blue Ridge
Susquehanna at Lackawanna Trail

Crossover
Scranton Prep at Delaware Valley

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

Division II
Wallenpaupack at North Pocono

 

 

THURSDAY, MAY 2

Jordan Relays at Scranton, 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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