Ephrata Track Team Ready to Go

 "Harbold & Haas are running with a lot of confidence right now," Keller said. "They are both coming off a real nice winter season where they put in the distance and are running strong."

With any track & field team there needs to be speed, and Keller is hoping freshman Gabby Gehr and Allison Hunt will join newcomer sophomore Caiti Strausser in helping to fill the void from some seniors that graduated. They will join senior Deb Morrison who if she can stay healthy, has shown flashes in the past that she can be a real asset. Senior Tayler Fletcher will lead a young but improving hurdle group that includes Katie Ream and Emily Albright. Fresh off her district qualifying season of a year ago, Fletcher will be counted on in the relays and open 400 as well.

While Keller admits the girls will be shallow in the throwing events, he is hoping that junior Callie Sweigart can have a break out season. "She has all the tools," Keller said. "It's just a matter for her gaining confidence and putting it all together."

Lyons will join Sweigart in the javelin where she enjoyed success last year after picking up the event. The Lady Mounts have the potential to be strong in the jumps. Ream had a real nice winter high jumping while Lyons is the returning L-L League champion and district medalist in the long jump. Joining Lyons in the long jump will be Gehr, who also had a nice winter in that event.

Keller is hoping that Strausser & Ream will pick up the triple jump and excel with that event. So, any predictions from the coach?

"Well, we should probably be competitive again this season." Says Keller, "Section Two is tough, we'll take it one meet at a time and see where that lands us."

While the girl's team seems to be able to compete for the section, Keller hopes the boy's team can improve upon last year's 4-5 record. With a host of new athletes and some quality athletes returning, Keller feels as though that is a reasonable goal. Leading the way for the Mountaineer boys will be a foursome of seniors. CJ Wilson will be the Mounts' top sprinter, high jumper and triple jumper, Cordell Oberholtzer leads the Mounts' distance crew, Alex Bippus will be the Mounts' top hurdler and will contribute in relays and Devon Williams is looking to close out his high school career with another trip to the medal stand at the L-L meet in the discus.

"Williams is in good form to compete for league champion" said Keller. "He is a no nonsense guy, and he is throwing the shot as well as anybody I have seen this winter. He will miss our first meet, which will be a big loss for the boys."

Wilson is also returning with some high credentials, after some early season hamstring problems. Keller hopes that this can be the season Wilson really elevates his performance.

"He is very gifted," said Keller. "It's just a matter of staying healthy and keeping it together mentally for him."

While the boys have good senior leadership, there is some younger quality talent returning and a host of new athletes. With the contingent of Blake Crowther, Joel Yoder, Kurt Sensenig, Derrick Carbaugh & Jeremy Yoder, Keller hopes that these new athletes "can pick up the sport early and contribute."

"These kids are athletes," said Keller, "I believe they are enjoying the sport and I have confidence they will contribute."

Senior Tyler Kilhefner will help the Mounts throws events be one of its stronger groups. Sophomore Jordan Yarbrough will be a big boost in the sprints and jumps while senior Willie Hopkins adds depth to the long jump and will be the Mounts' only returning pole vaulter with experience.

"It will be interesting to see just how the boys season unfolds," remarked Keller. "It's been a building process for the boys more so than with the girls, and I am hoping we can eclipse the .500 mark this season for the first time in many years."

After their meet at Elizabethtown on Thursday, they come home for the first time next Monday, April 2 with another Section Two meet against Conestoga Valley.