Palumbo has a big win on his hands

By: Kyle Moylan
   ÿ8TRACKÿWith so many talented athletes returning from a team that went 7-0 last season, Sam Palumbo is expecting another good season.
   Heck, his athletes are so young and good, Palumbo is expecting a few more good seasons for the New Egypt High boys’ track team.
   "This group has been so successful and they’re still young," noted the New Egypt boys’ track coach. "They’ll be competitive this year and next year."
   Among the returnees is Sean Vazquez. Although he’s been a dominating force in cross country and spring track for a while, Vazquez is just a junior.
   "He was First-Team all-conference the past two years," Palumbo noted. "He advanced to the Group I finals in the mile and two-mile last season. And this past fall, he was the leading runner on the cross country team that placed second in South Jersey."
   Another talented junior back for New Egypt is Davion Clanton. He’s a sprinter and jumper. He’ll also try the 400 this season.
   Matt Van Norman, also a junior, won the Central Jersey pole vault championship last season. Van Norman will also compete in the long jump, high jump and triple jump.
   Langston Lacroix, a sophomore, is someone who placed second in the 100 and 200 at the division championship last season. Lacroix is also a triple jumper.
   Justin Roman, a junior, was a member of the 4×400 team that advanced to the state championships last season. Roman also competes in the 100, 200 and 400.
   Matt Smith, a junior, was an all-division distance runner last season.
   In addition to these underclassmen, New Egypt also returns a pair of talented seniors, Jamel Turner and Toomas Sepp. Turner was First Team all-conference in the 100 and triple jump. Sepp was second in the division and sectional meet in the pole vault, losing out only to Van Norman.
   And the talent keep coming. Andrew Lopresti, just a freshman, established himself as a top-notch distance runner with the cross country team in the fall.
   "He’s got a real good future," Palumbo said.
   Dom Valdner, a senior, returns after taking the past two years off. Valdner, a big, strong standout from the football team, will be counted on in the throwing events. Juniors Kevin Stiles and Nate Wolensky will also compete in the throwing events.
   In all, New Egypt has about 30 athletes out for the team. Some spots are still being determined, but Palumbo already knows one thing as his team gets prepared for the season opener against Florence on April 17.
   "We should be good again," Palumbo said.
   NOTES: New Egypt will scrimmage at Pennington at 4 p.m. today. The team will compete in the Moorestown Track and Field Invitational on April 14.