By: Kyle Moylan Sports Editor
With Michael Bowden leading the way, the Northern Burlington High School boys track team will see if it can chase down a season like the one it had in 2008.
Northern Burlington was 5-0 in its division (6-0 overall). Bowden, a senior, placed fifth in Group III in the 1600 and 3200.
“With the loss of so many talented individuals, this year’s team is going to go through some growing pains of inexperience,” Northern Burlington Coach Tim Tedesco said.
Tedesco still expects his team to be competitive in the regular season. He also knows there are a few talented individuals that can make an impact at the state meets.
Along with Bowden, the other captains of the team are seniors Frank Capra (throws) and Nate Pryce (sprints/jumps). Juniors Kam Singh (pole vault) and Thaddeus Richards (sprints) are also captains.
Other seniors on the team are Jeff Townsend (throws), DJ Wang (throws), Huntley Nolan (distance), Ezzard Norris (throws), Sergio Lewis (sprints), Kendall Ford (throws), Ron Garrett (throws), Zachary Goodwin (throws), Jon Grossman (distance), Chad Dill (Sprints/
jumps), Jordan Downs (sprints), Lukas Aschbacher (distance) and Marcellus Bethea (sprints).
Other juniors on the team are Scott Root (throws), Patrick Schoen (throws), Erik Snyder (hurdles), Zack Way (throws), Ryan Ramirez (distance), Mike Owens (pole vault), Jerry Pham (hurdles), Chiedozie Nwanko (hurdles), John Rafferty (throws/pole Vault), Jordan Andrade (distance/pole vault), Myles Buffalo (Sprints/jumps), Deshawn Hopkins (throws), Nick Kapsimalis (throws), Dylan Kurowsky (distance/
javelin) and Nick Metzger (throws).
Other sophomores on the team are Harvey Singh (pole vault), Deshaun Washington (throws) Mike Ukaegbu (sprints), Dan Riordan (sprints), Dave Adekanye (sprints), Jonathan Blake (sprints/jumps), Reece Cooke (hurdles), Marcus Cowen (throws), Jaisun Crespo (jumps/pole vault), Andre Dupuis (distance), Bobby Hagan (sprints), Dylan Hallahan (distance), Brian Hamilton (sprints), Robert Johnson (distance), Evan Phillips (distance), Dave Prater (sprints/jumps), Jordan Muscella (throws), Lorenzo Laurenti (pole vault) and Mike Kodia (sprints).
Freshmen new to the team include Preston Towns (jumps), Mike Teves (sprints), Stephen Specca (sprints), Sam Smith (sprints), Matt Rafferty (throws/pole vault), Matt Molnar (distance), Melvin Moore (sprints/jumps), Donato Horta (sprints), Jordan Howard (throws), Tosin Adeyemo (sprints), Alex Carrell, KJ Fields (sprints) and Alex Flores (sprints).
Northern Burlington is scheduled to open the season today at Hamilton. Northern Burlington will also compete in the Hall of Fame Relays on Saturday.
GIRLS
The Northern Burlington High School girls’ track team went 3-2-1 in 2008. And the way veteran coach Steve Alustiza sees it, the 2009 team should be just as good, if not better.
“We feel that with the nucleus of returning veterans and talented young athletes, we should be competitive,” Alustiza said.
The returning seniors that earned a letter in 2008 are Hillary Byrne (throws/
high jumps/sprints), Cheyenne Cort (sprints/jumps), Ashadaya Patterson (hurdles/sprints) and Stephany Schuster (throws).
The returning junior letter winners are Tara Black (hurdles/pole vault), Mara Bush (hurdles/pole vault), Jasmine Day (middle distances), Brandi France (sprints), Emma Rosenwinkrl (middle distance), Elizabeth Morris (jumps) and Sam Morris (middle distance).
Amber Garrett, a sophomore, earned a letter in the throwing events.
Top newcomers are Dominique Daniels (a junior that does sprints and jumps), Tanya Doschyk (a junior that runs distances), Amanda Reed (senior, distances), Keisha Wilson (sophomore, throws), Priya Robinson a sophomore that throws and sprints) and Priya Tucker (a sophomore that throws and jumps).
Other athletes that should help are Melissa Clair (junior, sprints), Laura Johnson (junior, throws), Melina Smith (junior. distance), Lydia Nolan (freshman. distance), Morgan Byrne (freshman, hurdles, throws), Alex Ramirez (freshman, distance), Taylor Jacob (junior, middle distance), Megan McDowall (junior, middle distance), Greta VanVeldvisen (freshman, distance) and Clarissa Kelsey (freshman, distance).
John Barbadoro is an assistant coach on the team.
Northern Burlington is scheduled to open the season today (Thursday) at Hamilton. It will also compete in the Hall of Fame Relays on Saturday.
“It will take some time for the newer girls to get used to the competition in the BCSL,” Alustiza said. “As the season unfolds, we should be able to do well when the championship part comes around.”
