High school track & field teams from all over the area will descend on the Electric City this afternoon to compete in the Lackawanna League championships.

Honesdale, Western Wayne and Wallenpaupack Area will be among the teams represented at this annual event, which is held in honor of longtime scholastic track & field official Bob Spagna.

The Lackawanna League championships mark the official end of the local varsity season and act as a prelude to the District Two meet. The Hornets and Buckhorns will take part in the Class AAA event Thursday, May 15th. The Wildcats will compete at the Class AA level on Tuesday, May 13th.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” Honesdale Coach Mike Jurkowski told TWI Sports. “It serves as a great prep meet for districts. All we’re asking the kids to do is go out there and give us their best. As coaches, we can’t hope for any more than that.”

The action will begin on the Memorial Stadium turf at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Red & Black Attack
Honesdale posted mixed results on the Lackawanna League track & field scene this spring.

The girls finished in a second place tie with Scranton Prep (4-1-1) behind Abington Heights (6-0) in the Division One standings. The boys struggled and didn’t record their first win until last week’s season finale versus North Pocono. The Hornets ended up with a 1-4-1 overall mark.

Coach Jurkowski feels that Abington Heights will be a clear favorite in both the boys and girls brackets. However, he also believes that several of his athletes will make their mark.

Steve Pachuta and Thomas McCurdy could both strike gold this afternoon.

Pachuta has already turned in an LTC-best performance in the triple jump (42’). However, Steve could also be a major player in the high jump. The Hornet sophomore will go head-to-head with Abington’s Justin Passetti, who owns a league-best effort of 6’4” in the event.

McCurdy has been something of a revelation this spring. A lightning-quick sprinter who also excels on the soccer pitch and basketball court, McCurdy has made serious contributions to this year’s track team. Thomas owns the fastest LTC 400M time at :51.2.

On the girls’ side of the ledger, Coach Jurkowski expects big things from the likes of Audrey Calkins, Amanda Bates and Collette Wilson.

Calkins has the potential to medal in any or all of the jumping events. In her final league meet of the regular season against North Pocono, Audrey swept the long (14’2”), high (5’) and triple (29’ 11”).

Bates and Wilson will seek to bring home medals as sprinters and as members of two relay teams. Amanda and Collette will do battle with Abington’s Danielle Wasilewski in the 100M and 200M. They will also combine with teammates Kara Brussell, Erin Craig, Sienna George and Moriah Diamond in the 4x400M and 4x800M.

League Champs
Western Wayne’s girls varsity track & field team came out of nowhere to win the Division Two championship this spring. The Lady ‘Cats compiled a perfect 6-0 record en route to the title.

“I think a realistic goal for us is to finish in the Top Three,” said Coach Collins. “If we compete the way I know we can, we’re definitely going to make some noise.”

Lyndsay Barna and Courtney Kromko will lead the charge for the Lady ‘Cats this afternoon. Barna is a heavy favorite to win the 100M high hurdles and should be right in the thick of things in the 300M intermediate. Kromko could also figure into the medals’ race in events as diverse as the 400M and long jump.

Western Wayne’s boys team suffered through a disappointing 1-5 Lackawanna League season. However, the ‘Cats are currently generating some excitement in pursuit of a school record.

Shawn Leister, Cody Leister, Jesse Skates and Cody Yedinak make up a dynamic 4x800M relay team. These four speed demons are looking to etch their names in the history books by bettering a time of 8:38.

“They definitely have a legitimate shot,” Coach Collins said. “They already ran 8:45 at the Jordan Relays and the conditions were miserable. If they run their race, there’s no reason they can’t get the record.”

Purple Pride
Wallenpaupack Area’s boys team won the championship at last year’s meet. However, coming off a winless ‘08 campaign (0-5-1) the Buckhorns will be hard-pressed to defend their crown.

Paupack’s girls team also struggled during the regular season, posting just a 1-5 mark. However, as in years past, several of Coach John Tintle’s athletes will be vying for a spot on the dais. Tiffani Berger and Rachel Schmalzle will be at the forefront of the Lady Bucks’ attack.

Berger is a senior and will challenge Abington’s Krista Matsko for gold in both the 100M high and 300M intermediate hurdles. Schmalzle should be among the favorites in any event she enters, but Rachel excels in the mile (LTC-best 5:20.6).