MHS seeking track repeat: Boys
won state, conference; girls had best year ever
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| The Milford High boys' track and field team began its Division II state title defense this week. Returning from 2005 are, from left, top, Aaron Pettyjohn, Devin Franklin, Alan Hill and James Starnes. Bottom, Antoine Pettyjohn. Milford Chronicle/Chris Gasiewski |
MILFORD - Veteran coach Czar Bloom is optimistic about his
Milford High track and field squads this spring.
The Buccaneer boys' team won both the Henlopen Conference and Division II state
meet championships a year ago.
If Milford is going to repeat those feats it will need several of its
underclassmen to step up to fill the void left by graduation last season.
The girls' team finished third at the Division II state meet last season - the
program's best finish ever.
Both Milford teams appear to have greater depth this spring, which should
provide a lot of excitement for fans this season.
Bloom has built a solid program at Milford High. Look for both
squads to not only be Henlopen Conference contenders but also in the mix for a
solid run at state championships.
Boys' preview
Coach: Czar Bloom (9th season)
Assistant coaches: James Hill, Cleveland Whidbee, R.J. Chandler, Jenel Sterile,
David Kessler, Dennis Mason Sr., Ben Antonik, Jennifer Lear, Katie Holloway,
Dorant Bartlett.
Record last season: 9-2 overall; Henlopen Conference meet champions; Division II
state champions.
Top returnees: Distance: seniors, Robert Calhoun, Andrew Meade,
Ramon Silva; Junior, Henry Wilson, sophomore, Erick Cisneros, Kyle Fitzpatrick,
George Kershaw, Anthony Kramlich, Alan Lane, Logan Moreau, Brandon Morris,
Travis White, Dan Wheeler.
Sprints/hurdles: seniors, Robert Dill, Devin Franklin, Antoine Pettyjohn, Yvenel
Sainsume; juniors, Quentin Connelly, Alan Hill, James Starnes, Richard Thomas.
Field events: seniors, Michael Pastor, Derek Schaap, Lee Taylor; juniors,
DeWayne Johns, Mike White.
Top newcomers: Senior, Steve Darley; juniors, Ronni Haro, Darrell Wisseman;
sophomores, Nicholas Antonik, Dominique Cartwright, Garrett Jenkins, Raymont
Johnson; freshmen, Lamont Cartwright, Cory Cates, Carl Dowdell, Nick Esposito,
Robert Fisher, William Gove, Jeff Jean, Dennis Mason, Douglas McKnight, Chris
Pink, Michael Schlegel, Cesar Vasquez, Nathan Simpson, Darius Weatherly, Sean
Passwaters
Outlook: Milford's boys have a few key veterans returning from the 2005 state
championship squad, including senior Antoine Pettyjohn, the defending Henlopen
Conference 110-meter hurdle champion. Also, junior sprinter Alan Hill, the lone
returning member of the state champion 800-meter relay squad, looks to step up
as an individual contender.
The Bucs will look to a large crop of underclassmen and newcomers to help
replace graduated state champions Stefone Dukes, Darrell Davis and Frantz
Altidor. Along with '05 grad Brent Leitzell, they combined for four of the top
five spots among the team's scoring leaders.
The 2006 Bucs hope to come together once more to defend last year's Henlopen and
state championships.
Girls' preview
Record last season: 7-4 overall; fifth in the Henlopen Conference meet; third in
the Division II state meet.
Top returnees: Distance: seniors, Amanda Currie, Erica Godwin; juniors, Jackie
Creasey, Stephanie Swadley; sophomores, Elizabeth Butterly, Becky Clendaniel,
Erin Clendaniel.
Sprints/hurdles: seniors, Tahnisha Colson, Tykisha Upshur,
Latrice Whidbee, Candice Young; junior, Sheena Johns; sophomore, Kayla Boone.
Field: senior, Christa Czeizinger, Marissa McDonnell, Meredith Muskovich, Mirica
Smith. Juniors, Stephanie Jordan, Delila Sandoval; sophomore, Alicia Sanchez.
Top newcomers: Senior, Keskeda Pierre; juniors, Brittany Infante, Kamal Kaur,
Joenyce Smith; sophomores, Shavonda Cephas, Latifah Davis, Shelby Letthand,
Shellisha Letthand, Brenda Tamez, Emmery Williams and Shayla Wilson; freshmen,
Jakea Chandler, Tameisha Gibbs, Becky Godwin, Shawnise Godwin, Ariel Robertson,
Jessica Welch, Jill Winsby-Fein.
Outlook: After finishing third in last year's Division II state championships -
the best team finish ever for the program - the Buc girls appear poised to make
a solid run at success in 2006, especially with numerous veterans returning.
Junior Sheena Johns looks to defend her Henlopen 100-meter crown and state
200-meter title, and she will join seniors Tahnisha Colson, Tykisha Upshur and
Latrice Whidbee in the 800-meter relay as all four return after winning the
event in the 2005 state meet.
Veteran distance runners Erica Godwin and Jackie Creasey will help round out the
squad, while senior vaulters Christa Czeizinger and Marissa McDonnell look to
add some key points. A talented new class of underclassmen looks to give Milford
competitive depth, especially in the sprints and relays.