Southeastern Pa. Track and Field Teams to Watch

Published March 31, 2011, 6:46 p.m. ET

StartText

Girls

Abington. The Ghosts were denied their second consecutive PIAA Class AAA title last year, but still managed the bronze medal. The Ghosts are defending District 1 champs, and tout several of the area's best in various events (4x400-meter relay, long jump, triple jump, 1,600, 3,200). A state crown again will be Abington's focus.

West Catholic. West blew away the Class AA field at the state championships last season, winning the title by 13 points. The team returns sprinters Chante Moore, Michelle Davis, Mia Hicks, and Jada Steward, all instrumental in the Burrs' strong relay and sprint corps a year ago. Davis and Moore placed second and third, respectively, at states in the 200, and Steward grabbed second in the 100. With a slew of talented sprinters, West should vie again for the state crown.

Engineering and Science. E&S led the way for all Public League teams a year ago, capping its season with a fourth-place finish at the Class AA state meet; the Engineers finished just a point behind the third-place team. In Cierra White, the Engineers have arguably the best female track athlete in the area. Their 4x100 relay team was one of Pennsylvania's best last year in Class AA.

Cheltenham. The Panthers earned second-place honors at last year's District 1 Class AAA meet. They followed that up with a seventh-place finish at states. The team returns valuable sprinter Tabitha Smith, but lost standout Brittany Howell and sprinter Liz Taliaferro to graduation. Ciara Andrews, Cheltenham's standout basketball player, could take over for Howell as the Panthers' star long jumper.

Boys

Cardinal O'Hara. O'Hara used balance across events to grab a share of second place at the Class AAA state meet last year, but might have some holes to fill. The Lions will be without talented sprinter Corey Brown, who graduated. They fell to La Salle by seven points last year at the Catholic League championships - a loss O'Hara will look to avenge. La Salle placed 55th at states.

Central Bucks South. C.B. South tied O'Hara for second place at the AAA state meet last year, but will be without All-American Tom Mallon, who last year won his third straight state title in the 800, and is now running at Stanford. What's more, head coach Mike Cox and assistant Jason Gable switched roles. It'll be difficult for South to duplicate last year's success, but distance runners Austin Gregor and Joe Waddington provide a solid tandem for South. Though they aren't the same team, with a successful program in place, the Titans could compete for a District 1 Class AAA title.

Cheltenham. The Panthers grabbed seventh at the state meet last year, and with Matt Gilmore leading the way, Cheltenham could be a heavier player at the Class AAA state meet if the team's young talent continues to mature. The Panthers enter the outdoor season after a second-place finish at the indoor state championships.

Council Rock North. The Indians return three PIAA Class AAA state medalists from 2010: distance runner and Penn State signee Chris Campbell (1,600), pole vaulter Bobby Perepiczka, and sprinter Josh Mindlin (200). That trio should lead a group that battles for the Suburban One National crown, and should build upon a top-30 finish at last year's state meet.

- Evan Burgos

EndText