Pittston Area returns two girls who finished in the top nine in the state in their events, but whether the Lady Patriots can remain among the top track and field teams in District 2 could depend on the emergence of a large group of newcomers counted on to provide depth.

Abby Norwillo cleared 12 feet to finish fifth in the state in Class 3A in the pole vault and she has gone higher than that during an ambitious indoor season. Taryn Ashby split time as a standout softball player, but still managed to throw the javelin 131-2 to place ninth in the state.

Pittston Area did suffer graduation losses elsewhere in the lineup after going 6-1 to place second of eight teams in the Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 standings and fourth out of 19 Class 3A teams at the District 2 Championships.

“We have a lot of new kids,” Lady Patriots coach Joe Struckus said. “We have a lot of sophomores that are first-year track runners and there’s about 18 freshmen that came out this year.

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“We’re still evaluating and seeing if they will stay up with us on varsity or move down to our junior high team.”

Freshmen must be placed on either the varsity of junior high roster prior to their first meet and remain at that level the rest of the season. The winter snowstorm that has forced practices inside and is delaying the start of the regular season – Tuesday’s openers have been postponed already – has also hindered the evaluation process for the youngsters.

After graduating some key performers, including three-quarters of the 3200 relay team that scored points in other events as well through the last four years, there could be some challenges ahead. Sam Mayers, Tara Johnson and Maddy Mimnaugh graduated from the highly productive distance group.

Marley O’Brien, who qualified for the state javelin along with Ashby, has also graduated.

Ashby, Jessica Tighe, Arianna Boccardi and Sydney Williams are the seniors who should figure prominently.

Tighe scored district points in the sprints both individually and on the 400-meter relay. Boccardi, the lone returning member of the 3200 relay, becomes the leader of the distance group. Williams handles hurdles and jumps.

Norwillo, Anjelica Singer and Andrea Ruby are the top returning juniors.

Norwillo also placed fourth in the district in the long jump. Singer was a fifth-place district medalist in both the long jump and as a member of the 400 relay team. Ruby was ninth in the district in the 300 hurdles and, according to Struckus, is showing signs of improvement.

Sophomore Jenna Smith, a sprinter who was part of two relay teams that scored in districts, finished strong a year ago.

Junior Mary Silinskie and sophomore Kayleigh Walker both return and provide the hope of rebuilding the distance group.

While he tries to determine which other freshmen will be part of the varsity, Struckus said it already appears likely that throwers Emma Coles and Leah Hodick and distance runner Nicole Zambetti will be up.

Junior Charity McLeod practices a sprint with assistant track coach Chuck Montagna at Pittston Area High School Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_PSD0326BoysTrack3.jpg.optimal.jpgJunior Charity McLeod practices a sprint with assistant track coach Chuck Montagna at Pittston Area High School Thursday. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

Gwen Caprari sprints during track practice at Pittston Area High School Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_PSD0326BoysTrack4.jpg.optimal.jpgGwen Caprari sprints during track practice at Pittston Area High School Thursday. Sean McKeag | Sunday Dispatch

By TOM ROBINSON

For Sunday Dispatch

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