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Monday, April 14
CHESHIRE -- With numbers at a low and only 14 upperclassmen, the Hoosac Valley boys track and field team faces a rebuilding year in 2008. Hoosac coach Ron Namislo is hoping to have a competitive season, however, and hopefully carry over some momentum from their 7-1 season in 2007 in which they shared the county title with Mount Greylock and Wahconah.

"We should be able to stay competitive in the league" Namislo said. "We have some very strong leaders in our seniors and I am hoping that leadership can carry over to the underclassmen."

Leading the pack, not only for the team, but in the county is standout Jeremy Pierce. The fleet-footed sprinter will be a force to be reckoned with in the 100 and 200 meters and the long jump. Pierce's main goal is to break the Hurricanes' record time of 11.1 in the 100.

"Jeremy has proven to be an excellent leader" Namislo said. "He is extremely focused on his workouts, and he should be one of the top scorers for us. He will see a lot of good head to head competition in the county this season."

Joining Pierce to lead the Hurricanes this season will be Scott Wojiechowski (shot put and discus), Kai Chee (800 meters, 4x800 relay

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and long jump) and Tom Meczywor (100 and 200 meters and long jump).

"I believe that with the team we have this year we should have a winning record" Namislo said. "With the athletes that we have and the points they are capable of putting up, we should have a successful season."

One thing that is promising for Namislo is the amount of underclassmen that have joined the team. This factor gives Namislo a lot of different options, as well as giving athletes the opportunity to attempt new events.

"Our newcomers and returning freshman have a great attitude" Namislo said. "They are working on whatever we put them in and with 33 sophomores and freshman, we will get to see what the perfect spots are for everyone."

The Hurricane girls have even fewer bodies than to work with this year. Even though the numbers have diminished significantly, the strength of the young group they do have is ready to compete. After finishing the 2007 season with a 5-3 record, Hoosac girls' coach Greg Lucia is looking to rebuild his young Hurricanes.

"We have under 30 girls" Lucia said. "Our numbers are going to hurt us in the team competition aspect, but I am hoping that we can still give teams a run for their money and also accomplish a lot of individual achievements."

Lucia is looking to a solid core of returners to help jump start the Hurricane attack. Leading the way will be returning Western Mass. high jump champ Courtney Hart. Along with Hart, Hoosac will have fellow seniors Becky Bosworth (300 hurdles, triple jump), Ali Bleil (discus), Lauren Rodowicz (400 and 800 meters, shot put) and Sara Sworzen (100 meters, triple jump, relay).

"With the numbers that we have this year, we really have to try for first-place finishes," Lucia said. "We have some very good leaders this season, and hopefully, that will carry through to the underclassmen."

Besides the leadership of the seniors, Lucia has a handful of girls that he is hoping will bring in some much-needed top finishes. Among them are Sam LeBeau (100 meters, long and triple jump), Lindsay Serafin (100 and 200 meters, long jump), Bethany Frye (400 meters, discus, javelin), Hannah Noel (100 and 400 meters, long and high jump), Chelsea Tarsa (shot put, discus) and Brenna Harmon (mile and javelin).

"We are going to have to rely on our experience," Lucia said. "Our depth is weak, but the team that we do have will put out some good effort. The kids are excited, both the veterans and the newcomers, so we will have to wait and see how the season progresses."