NBC track teams set for season

By: Sean Moylan
   With the recent addition of a boys’ lacrosse program, the Northern Burlington County Regional High boys’ varsity track and field team doesn’t quite draw the same numbers it once did. Nonetheless the Greyhounds’ track and field program continues to draw the great athletes.
   In fact, the sky is the limit for sophomore Michael Bowden, who dominated a few freshmen meets in the distance races last season. Bowden is currently posting times in the 4:30’s in the mile and times in the 9:50’s in the 2-mile race. NBC head coach Tim Tedesco believes Bowden is capable of even more. In fact, expect him to qualify for and do well in the state tournament this season.
   Moreover, junior Saidu Mustapha is a fabulous sprinter whose best event is the 400 meter race.
   "Last year Mustapha placed at Sectionals and went to the States in the 400," added Tedesco. Mustapha is so good he even dipped under 50 seconds in the 400 once last year.
   Injuries kept Matt Melillo from having another tremendous cross country season this past fall. Nevertheless the Greyhounds’ star senior distance runner is expecting to have a great outdoor track and field season. Junior Chris Tomori does a lot of varsity track events well. Yet, he is a great hurdler.
   "Last year Tomori made it to the States in the 400 intermediate hurdles," added Tedesco, who has dozens of other athletes he will count on this season, which he will list at a later date (he’s still trying out kids in different events). "We had a decent amount of freshmen come out."
   Carlos Bovell is Tedesco’s varsity assistant while longtime track coach Bill Kostenko is also back to lend his expertise to the program. NBC will surely miss superstar pole vaulter Steve Makuka. Great athletes and people like him don’t grow on trees. However, with Bowden, Tomori, Mustapha, Melillo and others returning, the team will be good once again.
   GIRLS
   Last year the Northern Burlington County Regional High girls’ varsity track and field team finished with a 2-4 regular season meet record.
   However, in his 23 years of coaching spring track and field at NBC, Steve Alustiza has never placed the most emphasis on team regular season meet records, although he has had some terrific teams, record-wise, over the years. He’d rather develop good athletes who have a chance of doing well in the big meets and at states. And this season it looks like he will have those athletes.
   "We are returning several good experienced athletes (Ariel Woodard-Stephens, Sue Bumbera, Megan Molnar, Caris Hall, Kasey Bush, Hillary Byrne, Laura DeBenedetto. Tanisha Prater, Brandy Price, Kelly Walsh, Kelly Stiles and Morgan Golden) that should make us more competitive than last year," Alustiza said.
   "We are adding some new girls such as Christin Hutchison, Emma Rosenwinkel, Brandi France and Brianna D’Amato, that we feel will be able to step in and contribute. We also have a good turn out from the freshmen class that will take some time to get used to competing at this level. All of these components make us feel optimistic for a good season," noted Alustiza.
   Only a junior, Woodard-Stephens has already established herself as one of the better jumpers and sprinters in the county. Moreover, returning lettermen Bumbera (senior high jumper/thrower), Molnar (junior sprinter), C. Hall (junior thrower), Bush (junior mid-distance runner), Byrne (sophomore thrower/high jumper), D’ Amato (sophomore distance runner), DeBenedetto (senior distance runner), Prater (senior hurdler), Brandy Price (senior mid-distance runner), Walsh (junior distance runner), Stiles (senior distance runner) and Golden (senior sprinter/high jumper) are all standouts in their respective events.
   Hutchison (junior distance runner), Rosenwinkel (freshman distance runner) and France (freshman sprinter) are not the only newcomers expected to do well this season. Tara Black (freshman hurdler/sprinter), Mara Bush (freshman sprinter/hurdler), Arienne Hall (senior thrower) and Brittany Young (freshman sprinter) have also looked good in practices. Alustiza is also looking for Melissa Clair (freshman sprinter), Jasmine Day (freshman sprinter), Laura Johnson (freshman thrower), Rebecca Johnston (sprinter), Dorisee Salado (senior thrower), Amber Smith (sophomore thrower), Brittini Stefani (freshman mid-distance runner) and Kayla Wharton (freshman distance runner) to contribute. This year Alustiza’s assistant coaches will be Tabitha Gary and Lauren Welker.
   Although Alustiza acknowledges Moorestown as the Divisional favorite, he is already seeing vast improvements in his team this preseason.
   "The team has been working hard lately, which can only help as the opening of the season draws near. Our goal is to be as competitive as possible during the dual meet part of the season," said Alustiza, who wants to use the relays to get his team some "big meet" experience, which will help in May when the season really counts.
   Barring injury, NBC should have its best season in at least a few years.