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
HS TRACK AND FIELD: Lakeland edges Mid Valley in a great LTC championship meet in Division III
Posted by Joby Fawcett, The Times-Tribune on Wednesday, April 24, 2019
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.
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 |
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 |
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.
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
Joby Fawcett has covered high school sports — including football, girls and boys volleyball, girls and boys tennis, girls and boys swimming, boys basketball, girls and boys track and field, and girls and boys lacrosse — for 22 years. The High School Sports Blog offers deeper insights plus statistical and historical information for fans and features photos, videos and graphics along with Top 5 polls for tennis and volleyball. Contact: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5367; @sportsTT