More Mustangs out for track and field this spring

Enrollment climbs, especially with girls

By: Rudy Brandl
   
   Numbers are up for the Manville High track and field program in 2005.
   The program’s enrollment of nearly 40 athletes not only features a nice mix of youth and experience but also includes approximately 40 percent girls. While MHS will have enough young ladies to compete as a separate unit, the Mustangs once again will operate as a co-ed team.
   "It’s considered a co-ed team, but in dual meets we’ll run the girls as a separate team if the other teams have enough girls," Manville first-year head coach Michelle Mongillo said. "A lot of kids came out this year."
   Mongillo expects that trend to continue. Enrollment in the freshman and sophomore classes is higher than the junior and senior classes. And many students at Alexander Batcho Intermediate School will pass through Mongillo’s classroom door, giving the eighth-grade social studies teacher a chance to advertise her program.
   Many of the younger athletes on this year’s high school team started competing in track and field in Mongillo’s middle school program. Now that she’s teaching at ABIS, those numbers should climb even more.
   Seven MHS boys return this spring, giving the team a good jump on the competition in dual meets. Mongillo is hoping to produce a winning season after the team went 2-3 in that department last year.
   All-purpose senior Mike Andreyko is back for his final season on the track and field. Andreyko possesses the rare versatility of being extremely competitive in the distance and hurdling events along with the javelin throw. A typical day for Andreyko will include the 110 high and 400 intermediate hurdles, the 3,200 meters and the javelin.
   Sophomores Leo Rodriguez and Mike Knitowski also will play huge roles on this year’s team after productive freshman campaigns. Rodriguez will focus on the short sprints and jumps, while Knitowski will contribute in the 400, relay and jumping events. Both young athletes are extremely versatile, giving Mongillo three guys to score in a myriad of events.
   "We have a lot of athletes who are versatile," she said. "They can do so many things. I’m still trying to find everyone’s little niche."
   Senior Armand Fodorean should be the team’s leader in the weight events. Fodorean qualified for the State Group 1 Championships last spring. Fellow seniors Rich Ozieblo (800, relay), Matt Nile (hurdles, relay) and Chet Higgins (weights, high jump) will also contribute.
   Mongillo is hoping for big things from a promising group of newcomers. Freshman Chris Kocur has looked good in a variety of events and could be the team’s next versatile athlete. Kocur will contribute in the hurdles, 400 and relay. Junior Roland Yakobchuck has shown promise in the 400, 800 and javelin, while freshman Adam Wolcott will provide needed depth in the distance events.
   While Manville boasts its largest female cast in years, the program will be missing one star athlete who has made many headlines over the past few years. Amy Cutler, the school record-holder in the long jump, has graduated after qualifying for the Meet of Champions the last two seasons.
   Most of the MHS female contingent is made up of freshmen and sophomores. This year’s team includes returning sophomores Ashley Shields (100, 200, long jump, hurdles), Nicole DeFalco (100, 200, long jump) and Catina Santoro (weights). Mongillo believes that freshman newcomers Lucy Yakobchuck (400, hurdles) and Monica Ozieblo (400, 800) will develop and do well.
   "It’s a young team, but I’m hoping to win some dual meets," Mongillo said. "We have a lot of people who can do different things. I’m looking forward to a winning season."