West Deptford Boys' Track Preview: Distance, Not Sprints A Strength

It’s been a long time since boys’ track coach Mark Dixon can recall being in quite a position like this. The Eagles enter the 2012 season with standout athletes in several areas, yet one of those areas is not the sprints.

From A.J. Bunton and Vaughn Scott to Robbie Fearon and Ferrell Cooper, the sprints have always been in good hands. This year, things are a little more up in the air.

“It is weird saying that we don’t have a lot of speed right now,” said Dixon. “We have some younger guys that could be good, but it won’t be a strength like it has in the past."

One of the talented youngsters is sophomore Shai Mumford, who looks to be the team’s top sprinter. Mumford and his sophomore teammates may be the best hope for the team’s next great sprinter. Dixon said word around the school is that the middle school also has several future standouts, so the lack of sprinting depth is unlikely to last long.

For now, the Eagles’ strengths lie in the distance and field events. The Eagles have a host of talented distance runners, including Ray Parsons, John Ladner and Kevin Cianfarini. Then there is the throwing team, which has turned heads during the preseason. Led by Todd Jarrell and Nick Pulli, the throwers have suddenly become the biggest strength for the Eagles.

“In our scrimmage against Kingsway this week, the weight guys were incredible,” said Dixon “We not only won every event, we placed one-two in each event.”

The Eagles are in an unusual spot this year, as they have a solid group of seniors and an up-and-coming group of sophomores, but very little between. It has Dixon believing this will be an up-and-down season that will feature standout performance in some areas and highlight the need for growth in others.

“Where we are strong, we are real strong, but we have some gaping holes with jumps and sprints,” Dixon said. “I think we will do OK. We will be around .500. We have enough to go against some of the Group 1 and Group 2 schools, but against Haddonfield and Haddon Heights we just don’t have the guns. You need depth and you can’t give away points against those teams, and we will be.

BOYS' TRACK

Coach: Mark Dixon

Last year: 8-1-2

Returning letter winners: Todd Jarrell (sr.) throws; Kyle Perry (sr.) 400, 800; Sean Weidler (sr.) pole vault; Ray Parsons (so.) 1600, 3200; John Ladner (so) 1600, 3200; Kevin Cianfarini (so.) 400; 800; Nick Pulli (so.) throws.

Promising newcomers: Brandon Holmes (sr.) throws; Leo Impagliazzo (sr.) 400, 800; Phil Palmer (sr.) 1600, 3200; Dale Johnson (so.) 1600, 3200; Devin Bates (so.) 400, 800; Shai Mumford (so.) sprints, jumps.

Team to beat: Haddonfield, Haddon Heights.

Outlook: With several areas of weakness, it is unlikely the Eagles will compete for a division title. However, there is still enough talent on the roster to keep the team above .500, and several Eagles should do well when the individual portion of the season comes around.

Three storylines to follow:

–Sean Weidler in the pole vault. Weilder is coming off a strong winter season and will far-and-away be the team’s best vaulter. The Eagles have a proud tradition of quality pole vaulters, and it will be up to Weidler to keep that tradition alive. The team has four other pole vaulters who are freshman, so the future of the event looks to be in good hands.

–Long distance showdowns. While West Deptford is loaded with talented runners in the one- and two-mile races, Haddonfield and Haddon Heights also have a host of quality long distance runners. The three teams went toe-to-toe during the cross country season, so that should make for some close finishes on the track this season.

–Reduced hours on the weekend. Dixon does not plan on taking his whole roster to weekend events this year. He will instead take some of the more accomplished athletes and let them focus on individual achievements.