Girls Track: Hopatcong Expects a Turnaround 2011

While this week’s weather indicates Old Man Winter may have missed the status update, spring is in the air and that means Hopatcong's ready to start the spring sports season. As the spring season draws near, we will take a look at each team as they gear up for their season. Today, we’ll take a look at the Chiefs’ girls track team.

Overview

Hopatcong has several key returners from last season’s squad along with a large infusion of fresh talent from this year’s freshman class that will look to provide depth in all areas. It’s been a while since the girls track team has managed to put up a winning season, but the new talent coming in combined with the returning standouts have given head coach Peter Oesen plenty of reasons to feel good about turning around his team’s fortunes in 2011.

Last Season’s results

The Lady Chiefs finished 2-5 last season.

Keep your eye on

Stephanie VanBeke, thrower (Jr.) – Hopatcong’s best javelin thrower, VanBeke will continue to be one of the Lady Chiefs’ best overall performers.

Courtney Macaluso, sprinter (So.) – A solid all around runner and the team’s best sprinter, Macaluso is also one of Hopatcong’s strongest returning squad members.

Amanda Mauer, mid-distance runner (Fr.) – Mauer will be one of the key freshman additions to the team and will look to help solidify the Chiefs in the 400- and 800-meter events.

Taylor Wilson, Thrower (So.) – Wilson will be one of the team’s better throwers in her first year of competition.

They’ll miss

Kate Crawford, thrower – The Chiefs will need one of their new squad members to fill Crawford’s shoes in throwing events.

Coach’s take

“We’re small in number, but we have a lot of new talent coming in. We haven’t had a winning season in quite some time, but our returning girls have shown a lot of individual improvement and the new girls coming in have been blowing us away.” - Oesen

They said it

“I think we’re going to have a good season. Everyone’s been working hard and I feel good about my throws.” -VanBeke

“I worked really hard at a winter track program called the Jaguars. They have a really good training program and they build great athletes, so I think I’ll be able to improve on my performance last year. I just think it’s going to be a good year for us.” –Macaluso

“The coaches are telling me I’m doing well since this is my first year doing track and that I have a lot of potential. I think we’ll do pretty well.” –Wilson

“I’m looking to beat my own personal best times in the 400 and 800 meters, and whatever else I can do to help the team. We have a good group of girls and everyone works hard, so I think we’ll do well.” - Mauer

2011 Hopatcong Track Team Roster

Kaitlin Belanger (Fr.)

Gina Costanza  (Fr.)

Tiana Duran (Fr.)

Melissa Fernandez (Fr.))

Diana Kanna (Fr.))

Amanda Mauer (Fr.)

MaryRose Purdue (Fr.)

Bogdana Stus  (Fr.)

Belle Ward (Fr.)

Jade Webster (Fr.)

Alyssa Brown (So.)

Katharine Callahan (So.)

Katie Gowey (So.)

Ashley Green (So.)

Samantha Hergert (So.)

Kate Kearns (So.)

Dione Lalo (So.)

Julieth Lara (So.)

Anel Logan (So.)

Courtney Macaluso (So.)

Amanda Scallan (So.)

Nicole Walthour ( So.)

Taylor Wilson (So.)

Heather Yaros ( So.)

Kayla Giordano (Jr.)

Briana Kuty (Jr.)

Stephanie Nemeth (Jr.)

Stephanie VanBeke (Jr.)

Kelly Coddington (Sr.)

Marie Lanoue (Sr.)

Melissa Mendez (Sr.)