Optimism abounds for winter track team

Lawrence indoor track

By: Jim Green
   The expectations continue to grow for the rising Lawrence High School boys indoor track program.
   The Cardinals, who were struggling just to field a team when Dave O’Neal took over as head coach in 2001, finally have reached the point where their participation and talent levels are high enough to allow them to compete with Mercer County’s better squads.
   "As far as the winter program goes, it should be the best team I’ve had here," O’Neal said. "We have over 30 athletes out. That’s the highest number I’ve had since I’ve been coaching at Lawrence. The program is growing immensely. The group of kids that are coming out are more dedicated to track and field. In the past, a large percentage of the kids were in winter track to train for another spring sport. The percentage of kids that are going to hold over for spring track is larger than in years past. That’s something I’m looking forward to."
   Because of the continued growth of interest in indoor track, the Cardinals should be able to overcome the loss to graduation of their top two performers from last winter, sprinter Kyle Gafgen and thrower Frank DiMeglio. At last season’s Mercer County Championships, Gafgen medalled in the 55 dash and the 400, while DiMeglio medalled in the shot put.
   But the Cardinals also medalled in the 4×400 relay, and they once again should excel in that event. Senior Brian Scott, coming off a strong cross country season, will lead the way, followed by sophomores Andrew Santora and Justin Fein. Versatile senior Hezekiah McRae will be used in the 55, 200, 400 and hurdles.
   Senior Mike Frascella, a four-year indoor track competitor, filled in for McRae on the relay team at the county meet and helped the Cardinals earn their medals. This season, the former full-time thrower plans to continue to contribute as a runner.
   "He’s a real all-around athlete," O’Neal said of Frascella, who plays various infield positions for the Lawrence baseball team in the spring. "He got involved in running events toward the end of last year. He wants to pursue that a little more. He wants to see how far he can progress with that."
   The Cardinals also will be deep in the shot put, with seniors Emmanuel LaLota, Bill Wolverton and Vinny DiMeglio — Frank’s younger brother — leading the way. Junior Dyvae Lopez, a starting wide receiver on the Cardinal football squad, will help out with hurdles, while cross country holdovers Brendan Gregory, a senior, and junior Mike Duke will anchor Lawrence in the distance events.
   "It’s very early," O’Neal said. "We have a large group of sophomores. I’m still in the process of assessing where they’re at."
   The girls team also should be solid, with seniors Jackie Pirre and Paige Sims returning to set the pace. Sophomores Danae Lendor and Kelly Watson should provide experienced depth in the hurdles, while juniors Janelle Fuller and Elise Perkins will lead the way in the weight events.
   "The relay should be very strong," O’Neal said. "I think Kelly Watson’s going to be a good addition in terms of depth."
   Senior Christine Pan, the captain of the cross country team, will be the Cardinals’ top performer in the distance events. Junior Beth Korkuch is a strong all-around athlete with a goal of possibly competing in a decathlon in the spring.
   The Cardinals will have a scrimmage Tuesday against Peddie, Allentown and Holy Ghost. They then will open the regular season at the Fairleigh Dickinson University Holiday Invitational on Dec. 18 and 19.
   "The girls team is very focused toward building toward a championship very soon," O’Neal said. "They finished third in the county last spring. Anything besides improving on that will be a disappointment to them. They really think they should go further this year."