OK fans, we are back.
There had been A LOT of confusion this spring with the schedule because weather really didn’t force any postponements and very few rescheduled meets during the preseason. And what the term preseason means in track and field is the “optional” meets that had teams in the LTC compete the week of March 25-29. Yes, those meets were entertaining and we even had a school record set (more on that later). But for the purposes of record keeping for the conference and the publishing of the results, well, those meets technically don’t count because not all teams were able to run them and moving forward should a storm crush the first week of the season in 2020, teams are not forced to reschedule them.
This caused some to email me and the sports department in a panic that the paper would not be covering track and field.
Of course we are.
So, to make things even more clear, Tuesday and Wednesday’s meets and Thursday’s meet, are LTC meets. They are part of the official schedule. And, as I hope you all saw in The Times-Tribune, the results ran in their entirety.
Let’s begin the first post ON THE BLOG for the 2019 season with a congratulations to Wallenpaupack’s Connor Barnes on setting a school record in the pole vault by clearing 13 feet, 3 inches. He broke the mark set in 1993 by Dan Geikel, who cleared 12-11.
If you recall last spring, we did a huge project where we collected the school records from the member schools in the LTC. By creating and saving that database, we are able to give some perspective on where Barnes’ effort ranks among the best marks in the conference. Remember, this is not an all-time list, because obviously, the schools where the record is better than Barnes, may have other pole vaulters with better marks than Barnes, but aren’t listed because the record at the school is better than their best effort. Confused?
Any way, here’s the list to where Barnes fits in now:
POLE VAULT | |||
Ryan Wilkes |
Valley View |
16-6 |
2015 |
Jim Corse |
Susquehanna |
15-4 |
1990 |
Ryan Atcavage |
Western Wayne |
15-2 |
2017 |
Sean Burns |
Delaware Valley |
15-1 |
2011 |
Frank Krantz |
Lakeland |
14-6 |
1989 |
Joe LaBarbera |
Montrose |
14-6 |
2004 |
Ed Druffner |
Scranton Prep |
14-5 |
1995 |
Pat Callahan |
Abington Heights |
14-4 |
2009 |
Joe Nally |
Mountain View |
13-6 |
2016 |
Thomas Ware |
Holy Cross |
13-6 |
2015 |
Connor Barnes |
Wallenpaupack |
13-3 |
2019 |
2019 SEASON
After compiling the preseason information, it wasn’t too hard to determine which teams were the favorites. However, there were some surprises.
If you saw the Sports Section on Monday, the favorites listed based upon what the coaches told us, were as follows:
GIRLS FAVORITES
DIVISION I: Abington Heights Lady Comets
- Entered the season winners of 73 straight dual meets and opened with a convincing win over West Scranton to move that LTC record to 74 straight.
DIVISION II: Western Wayne Lady ‘Cats
- Won the 2018 title and earned a win over Wallenpaupack, 79-71, to open this season. Wallenpaupack was picked to be the closest challenge Western Wayne would receive.
DIVISION III: Dunmore Lady Bucks
- This division has been won for the last six seasons by Lakeland. But the Lady Chiefs are rebuilding. In the first meet of the season, Mid Valley upset the Lady Bucks and now all bets are off as to which team will end Lakeland’s run.
DIVISION IV: Montrose Lady Meteors
- Montrose has the most balance on the track in the sprints and the distance races and the coaches expect it to snap Elk Lake’s run of four straight titles. Montrose’s last title came in 2013.
Program records since 2013
LTC GIRLS |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Total |
DIVISION I |
|||||||
Abington Hts. |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
24 – 0 |
Scranton Prep |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
16 – 8 |
Valley View |
2 – 2 |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
2 – 2 |
14 – 10 |
Scranton |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
1 – 3 |
1 – 3 |
1 – 3 |
1 – 3 |
4 – 20 |
West Scranton |
1 – 3 |
1 – 3 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
2 – 22 |
DIVISION II |
|||||||
Wallenpaupack |
3 – 1 |
4 – 0 |
3 – 1 |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
3 – 1 |
21 – 3 |
Western Wayne |
4 – 0 |
3 – 1 |
1 – 3 |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
4 – 0 |
18 – 6 |
North Pocono |
2 – 2 |
2 – 2 |
4 – 0 |
2 – 2 |
2 – 2 |
1 – 3 |
13 – 17 |
Delaware Valley |
0 – 4 |
1 – 3 |
2 – 2 |
1 – 3 |
0 – 4 |
2 – 2 |
6 – 18 |
Honesdale |
1 – 3 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
1 – 3 |
0 – 4 |
2 – 22 |
DIVISION III |
|||||||
Lakeland |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
30 – 0 |
Holy Cross |
4 – 1 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
22 – 8 |
Dunmore |
3 – 2 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
20 – 10 |
Riverside |
2 – 3 |
0 – 5 |
2 – 3 |
0 – 5 |
2 – 3 |
0 – 5 |
6 – 24 |
Mid Valley |
0 – 5 |
1 – 4 |
0 – 5 |
1 – 4 |
1 – 4 |
2 – 3 |
5 – 25 |
Carbondale Area |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
4 – 1 |
2 – 3 |
1 – 4 |
7 – 23 |
DIVISION IV |
|||||||
Elk Lake |
4 – 1 |
4 – 1 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
28 – 2 |
Montrose |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
3 – 2 |
3 – 2 |
2 – 3 |
4 – 1 |
22 – 8 |
Blue Ridge |
3 – 2 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
4 – 1 |
1 – 4 |
0 – 5 |
15 – 15 |
Susquehanna |
1 – 4 |
1 – 4 |
1 – 4 |
2 – 3 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
12 – 18 |
Mountain View |
0 – 5 |
2 – 3 |
2 – 3 |
1 – 4 |
1 – 4 |
1 – 4 |
7 – 23 |
Lacka.Trail |
2 – 3 |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
2 – 3 |
2 – 3 |
6 – 24 |
BOYS FAVORITES
DIVISION I: Scranton Knights
- Scranton has won four straight LTC Division I honors, but is expected to receive a strong challenge from Abington Heights which is loaded with hurdlers and distance stars.
DIVISION II: Wallenpaupack Buckhorns
- Very deep talent pool and some of the best athletes in the LTC. The closest challenge the Buckhorns are expected to receive will be from Delaware Valley.
DIVISION III: Mid Valley Spartans
- Raised eyebrows? Mid Valley has an experienced and talented group of athletes and is very strong in the mid-distance and distance events. Lakeland has a young roster with three of its best athletes being only sophomores.
DIVISION IV: Montrose Meteors
- The Meteors have never lost an LTC Division IV meet. The LTC moved to four divisions in 2013, so that is 30-0 in the division. That is not expected to change with a strong group of athletes returning.
Program records since 2013
LTC BOYS |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Total |
DIVISION I |
|||||||
Scranton |
1 – 3 |
1 – 3 |
3 – 1 |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
17 – 7 |
Abington Hts. |
2 – 2 |
4 – 0 |
2 – 2 |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
16 – 8 |
Valley View |
4 – 0 |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
0 – 4 |
2 – 2 |
14 – 10 |
Scranton Prep |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
2 – 2 |
1 – 3 |
1 – 3 |
0 – 4 |
10 – 14 |
West Scranton |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
2 – 2 |
1 – 3 |
3 – 21 |
DIVISION II |
|||||||
Wallenpaupack |
3 – 1 |
2 – 2 |
2 – 2 |
4 – 0 |
3 – 1 |
4 – 0 |
18 – 6 |
North Pocono |
4 – 0 |
4 – 0 |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
1 – 3 |
18 – 6 |
Delaware Valley |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
1 – 3 |
2 – 2 |
3 – 1 |
3 – 1 |
14 – 10 |
Western Wayne |
0 – 4 |
1 – 3 |
4 – 0 |
1 – 3 |
1 – 3 |
2 – 2 |
9 – 15 |
Honesdale |
1 – 3 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
0 – 4 |
1 – 23 |
DIVISION III |
|||||||
Lakeland |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
30 – 0 |
Dunmore |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
0 – 5 |
2 – 3 |
4 – 1 |
17 – 13 |
Mid Valley |
1 – 4 |
4 – 1 |
1 – 4 |
2 – 3 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
15 – 15 |
Holy Cross |
3 – 2 |
1 – 4 |
2 – 3 |
2 – 3 |
2 – 3 |
2 – 3 |
12 – 18 |
Riverside |
2 – 3 |
2 – 3 |
3 – 2 |
2 – 3 |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
9 – 21 |
Carbondale Area |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
4 – 1 |
2 – 3 |
1 – 4 |
7 – 23 |
DIVISION IV |
|||||||
Montrose |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
5 – 0 |
30 – 0 |
Elk Lake |
3 – 2 |
3 – 2 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
3 – 2 |
19 – 11 |
Lacka. Trail |
2 – 3 |
3 – 2 |
1 – 4 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
16 – 14 |
Blue Ridge |
4 – 1 |
3 – 2 |
4 – 1 |
0 – 5 |
1 – 4 |
0 – 5 |
12 – 18 |
Susquehanna |
0 – 5 |
1 – 4 |
2 – 3 |
2 – 3 |
0 – 5 |
3 – 2 |
8 – 22 |
Mountain View |
1 – 4 |
0 – 5 |
0 – 5 |
1 – 4 |
2 – 3 |
1 – 4 |
5 – 25 |
RANKINGS
This is the first ranking of the Top 5 teams in girls and boys track and field, respectively. Overall, Abington Heights girls and Wallenpaupack boys were overwhelming favorites. And in looking deep into their rosters, they gained the No. 1 position in the Times-Tribune Week 1 poll of the season.
The other division favorites fall in behind in varying orders. Last season, Abington Heights finished as the No. 1 girls team and Wallenpaupack was the last No. 1 team for the boys.
TOP 5 GIRLS POLL
Rank |
Team |
Record |
Previous |
|
1 |
Abington Heights LADY COMETS |
1—0 |
1 |
|
2 |
Western Wayne LADY ‘CATS |
1—0 |
2 |
|
3 |
Wallenpaupack LADY BUCKHORNS |
0—1 |
3 |
|
4 |
Scranton Prep CLASSICS |
1—0 |
NR |
|
5 |
Montrose LADY METEORS |
1—0 |
NR |
WEEK 1
Scranton Prep defeated Valley View in a meet that ended in a 68-68 tie with the javelin not being held because of the facility at Loyola Sports Complex. Valley View’s 400 relay team was disqualified and then the tiebreaker rule came into play with Scranton Prep winning nine of the 16 events and Valley View winning seven.
That win had a ripple effect, because Valley View had been predicted to be the team with the best chance to give Abington Heights a battle in the LTC Division I.
Therefore, Scranton Prep earned a spot in the first Times-Tribune Top 5 Poll.
Western Wayne defeated Wallenpaupack, 79-71, in what may already qualify as the Meet of the Year.
Trina Barcarola, Annie Skirpan and Sydney Krompasky each had two wins to lead Western Wayne
TOP 5 BOYS POLL
Rank |
Team |
Record |
Previous |
|
1 |
Wallenpaupack BUCKHORNS |
1—0 |
1 |
|
2 |
Scranton KNIGHTS |
1—0 |
3 |
|
3 |
Mid Valley SPARTANS |
1—0 |
NR |
|
4 |
Delaware Valley WARRIORS |
1—0 |
4 |
|
5 |
Montrose METEORS |
1—0 |
5 |
WEEK 1
Wallenpaupack got off to a fast start with an impressive win over Western Wayne, which has some talent, as well.
Scranton edged Honesdale in a crossover, while Mid Valley opened with an impressive win over Dunmore. Delaware Valley appears to be very strong in the sprints and jumps after a win over North Pocono.
Montrose is strong in Division IV.
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.
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
EVENT |
NAME |
MARK |
100 Hurdles |
Trina Barcarola (WW) |
16.42 |
100 Hurdles |
Calista Marzolino (AH) |
16.94 |
100 Hurdles |
Kate Rogers (HC) |
17.14 |
100 Hurdles |
Karris Fazzi (BR) |
17.34 |
100 |
Ky’ahni Harbin (SCR) |
12.95 |
100 |
McKenzie Rhone (SUS) |
13.14 |
100 |
Taliyah Booker (DV) |
13.34 |
100 |
Avery Meredick (RIV) |
13.34 |
1600 |
Brianna Zipay (VV) |
05:24.24 |
1600 |
Laina Bogusta (DV) |
05:41.94 |
1600 |
Rachel Korty (CAR) |
05:49.24 |
1600 |
Hannah Perkins (MON) |
05:58.24 |
400 |
Makenzie Turner (WAL) |
01:00.53 |
400 |
Gianna Sabatini (AH) |
01:00.54 |
400 |
Karris Fazzi (BR) |
01:06.24 |
400 |
Becca Laboranti (MV) |
01:06.94 |
300 Hurdles |
Trina Barcarola (WW) |
47.94 |
300 Hurdles |
Mia Chiaro (MV) |
51.74 |
300 Hurdles |
Anna Marchetta (AH) |
52.74 |
300 Hurdles |
McKenzie Rhone (SUS) |
52.94 |
800 |
Hannah Hughes (AH) |
02:27.04 |
800 |
Laina Bogusta (DV) |
02:33.84 |
800 |
Hannah Perkins (MON) |
02:39.34 |
800 |
Skylar Arendt (LAK) |
02:39.84 |
200 |
Ky’ahni Harbin (SCR) |
27.84 |
200 |
Annie Skirpan (WW) |
27.95 |
200 |
McKenzie Rhone (SUS) |
28.14 |
200 |
Kate Rogers (HC) |
30.14 |
3200 |
Mia Bellucci (SP) |
11:59.24 |
3200 |
Rachel Korty (CAR) |
12:24.24 |
3200 |
Shyanne Bennett (EL) |
13:11.24 |
3200 |
Makenzie Turner (WAL) |
13:20.26 |
Shot |
Mikayla Marino (LAK) |
35–11 |
Shot |
Tania Grissom (WS) |
32–0½ |
Shot |
Esmeralda Mendez (WW) |
31–0 |
Shot |
Annie Bonner (BR) |
29–3¾ |
Discus |
Mikayla Marino (LAK) |
108–2 |
Discus |
Jill Bird (AH) |
101–5 |
Discus |
Liz Desmet (WAL) |
98–0 |
Discus |
Miranda Button (MtV) |
76–6 |
Javelin |
Ashleigh Gutowski (NP) |
103–2 |
Javelin |
Abby Barr (WS) |
91–9 |
Javelin |
Amanda Bales (LAK) |
91–9 |
Javelin |
Meredith Zrowka (MtV) |
63–4 |
Long |
Anna Ioppolo (WAL) |
16–0½ |
Long |
Calista Marzolino (AH) |
15–7 |
Long |
Jillian DeSando (DUN) |
13–11 |
Long |
Mary Stec (HC) |
13–11 |
Long |
Tangi Smith (MON) |
13–4½ |
Triple |
Anna Ioppolo (WAL) |
33–7½ |
Triple |
Dani Heine (AH) |
33–7 |
Triple |
Jillian DeSando (DUN) |
30–2 |
Triple |
Jordan Spencer (LT) |
30–0 |
High |
Calista Marzolino (AH) |
5–4 |
High |
Sara Wanat (LAK) |
5–4 |
High |
Brooke Acoveno (DV) |
5–2 |
High |
Madi Swanchak (LT) |
4–5 |
Pole |
Dani Heine (AH) |
11–0 |
Pole |
Sydney Krompasky (WW) |
8–6 |
Pole |
Mary Stec (HC) |
7–6 |
3200 Relay |
Valley View |
10:31.24 |
3200 Relay |
Wallenpaupack |
11:25.85 |
3200 Relay |
Lakeland |
11:48.24 |
3200 Relay |
Lackawanna Trail |
12:49.24 |
400 Relay |
Scranton |
52.82 |
400 Relay |
Western Wayne |
53.6 |
400 Relay |
Montrose |
54.74 |
400 Relay |
Riverside |
55.94 |
1600 Relay |
Western Wayne |
04:18.14 |
1600 Relay |
Abington Heights |
04:24.54 |
1600 Relay |
Mid Valley |
04:43.04 |
1600 Relay |
Montrose |
05:05.24 |
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
EVENTS |
NAME |
MARK |
110 Hurdles |
Antonio Maletta (AH) |
15.54 |
110 Hurdles |
Collin Chidester (MON) |
15.94 |
110 Hurdles |
Chase Nolan (LAK) |
16.64 |
110 Hurdles |
Nick Barie (DV) |
16.74 |
100 |
Darryn Ouk (DV) |
11.54 |
100 |
Billy Good (LAK) |
11.54 |
100 |
Aiden Kearney (VV) |
11.64 |
100 |
Mason Deakin (SUS) |
11.84 |
1600 |
Josh Christiansen (SCR) |
04:48.64 |
1600 |
Josh Vituszynski (MV) |
04:52.44 |
1600 |
Caleb Kenyon (NP) |
04:54.34 |
1600 |
Collin Spellman (MON) |
05:00.24 |
400 |
Tyler Wirth (WAL) |
52.61 |
400 |
Henry Rogers (MON) |
53.94 |
400 |
Shane Rosencrans (MV) |
54.04 |
400 |
Matt Tomaine (SP) |
54.19 |
300 Hurdles |
Antonio Maletta (AH) |
40.24 |
300 Hurdles |
Collin Chidester (MON) |
42.84 |
300 Hurdles |
Gideon Dalzell (MV) |
43.94 |
300 Hurdles |
Gabe Springer (WAL) |
45.01 |
800 |
Jack Monte (WAL) |
02:07.15 |
800 |
Ethan Mattox (AH) |
02:09.94 |
800 |
Matt McGowan (LAK) |
02:11.04 |
800 |
Collin Spellman (MON) |
02:18.84 |
200 |
Darryn Ouk (DV) |
23.34 |
200 |
Jakob Snipes (LAK) |
23.34 |
200 |
Carter Odell (SP) |
23.74 |
200 |
Henry Rogers (MON) |
25.34 |
3200 |
Tyler Wirth (WAL) |
09:58.46 |
3200 |
Stephen Haggerty (AH) |
10:09.14 |
3200 |
Liam Mead (MON) |
10:25.24 |
3200 |
Andrew Healey (HC) |
10:48.24 |
Shot |
CJ Dippre (LAK) |
49-1 |
Shot |
Bailey Loureiro (WS) |
43-0½ |
Shot |
Parker Howell (WW) |
41-7½ |
Shot |
Mark Dunckle (LT) |
38-0 |
Discus |
CJ Dippre (LAK) |
138-6 |
Discus |
Ryan Flynn (AH) |
135-10 |
Discus |
Chance Smith (WAL) |
133-0 |
Discus |
CJ Stone (SUS) |
110-7 |
Javelin |
Joey Scarfalloto (HON) |
174-3 |
Javelin |
Zach Rebar (MV) |
165-8 |
Javelin |
Devon Curyk (AH) |
132-0 |
Javelin |
Luke Walker (LT) |
127-3 |
Long |
Quincey Vassell (WS) |
21-0 |
Long |
James Lynch (DV) |
20-0 |
Long |
Marshall Macknosky (MV) |
19-10 |
Long |
Mason Deakin (SUS) |
18-8 |
Triple |
Quincey Vassell (WS) |
43-2 |
Triple |
James Lynch (DV) |
42-5½ |
Triple |
James Goetz (MV) |
37-5 |
Triple |
Mason Deakin (SUS) |
37-0½ |
High |
Bryce Collins (RIV) |
6–0 |
High |
Noah Sorrell (DV) |
5–10 |
High |
Gabe Springer (WAL) |
5–10 |
High |
Jahwon Wainwright (SCR) |
5–8 |
High |
Jakub Tomczyk (SUS) |
5–8 |
Pole |
Connor Barnes (WAL) |
11–6 |
Pole |
Nicholas Klapatch (AH) |
10–0 |
Pole |
Tom Dickinson (SP) |
10–0 |
Pole |
Bayley Grizzanti (CAR) |
9–6 |
Pole |
Eli McArthur (BR) |
8–0 |
3200 Relay |
Valley View |
09:22.24 |
3200 Relay |
Mid Valley |
09:32.94 |
3200 Relay |
Delaware Valley |
09:35.24 |
3200 Relay |
Elk Lake |
10:01.24 |
400 Relay |
Wallenpaupack |
45.55 |
400 Relay |
Montrose |
45.84 |
400 Relay |
Mid Valley |
45.94 |
400 Relay |
West Scranton |
46.24 |
1600 Relay |
Abington Heights |
03:43.84 |
1600 Relay |
Lakeland |
03:44.64 |
1600 Relay |
Mid Valley |
03:44.64 |
1600 Relay |
North Pocono |
03:56.04 |
1600 Relay |
Montrose |
03:51.24 |
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
TUESDAY
Division I
Valley View at Scranton
West Scranton at Scranton Prep
Division II
Honesdale at Wallenpaupack
Western Wayne at Delaware Valley
Crossover
North Pocono at Abington Heights
WEDNESDAY
Division III
Lakeland at Carbondale Area
Riverside at Dunmore
Mid Valley at Holy Cross
Division IV
Mountain View at Blue Ridge
Lackawanna Trail at Elk Lake
Montrose at Susquehanna
SATURDAY
ICEBREAKER RELAYS
at Wallenpaupack High School, 9 a.m.
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