Central’s track teams continue winning ways

By MIKE MATHISON, sports editor
STEUBENVILLE — Winning is something the Catholic Central track teams have been accustomed to and this year has been no different.

“The past seven years we have competed for the team title at the district meet,” said coach Bob Stanko. “Recently though, we have arranged our lineup to be strongest to get to state and perform well at that level.

“We have solid athletes in most events and could probably advance many of them. However, as we move along in the tournament, we want them to be equally solid to advance. With that in mind, we have to set the lineup for that and be very careful not to overload too many athletes.

“Individually, we have a lot of athletes with the capabilities to compete at the state level. Where to put them? We will need to sit down and decide what is best for each of them and the team.”

The Crusaders are a week removed from winning the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference boys and girls Class AA team titles at Shadyside High School.

They are one week away from competing in the Division III district meet at Newcomerstown High School on May 20 and 23.

Stanko has some stalwarts he can count on.

Senior Jane Clare Vosteen tied the school record in the high jump at 5-4.

“She has been consistent in the 5-2 area,” said the coach.

Senior Christina Homol looks to get back to the regionals in the hurdle events. She has been pushed by standout newcomer Teddi Maslowski.

“She has improved so much this year and I think having Teddi Maslowski around helps her to push harder,” said Stanko. “The 300 hurdles will be a very competitive race at the district and it will be interesting to see how that plays out.”

He also has junior Bernadette DuBois and Eliza Scarnecchia, two of the four who set the school record a year ago at the state meet with a second-place finish of 4:00.31.

“Bernadette is having a very solid and successful season,” said Stanko. “She is a key part in our team advancing to state. Eliza is also a key part in our team’s success.

“However, others have been great stepping in her place while she recovers from an injury. We look to have her ready for the district.

“Those stepping up in her absence have been sophomore Cassy Stevens in the 400 and freshman Katrina Vosteen in the 4x200 and 4x400 and 200. She has been a pleasant surprise with her performances in those events.

“She just works so hard and stays focused.”

Maslowski is a freshman who seems destined to break a lot of records at Central.

“She’s not really a surprise,” said Stanko. “We knew coming in she had the talent to be a top hurdler this season and she has not disappointed. She loves track and loves hurdling and is still learning her capabilities.

“She won four gold medals at the OVAC meet and will have her hands full in at the district. But, I think she will be just fine.”

The boys team winning the OVAC title was a bit surprising.

“The boys team has accomplished a lot this season with us being so young,” said the coach. “We’ve been competitive at every meet and most importantly, we’ve improved steadily up to this point. Team-wise, I think we can be competitive at the district.

“This is where a lot of athletes who may not advance want to end there season with a personal best effort.

“However, we are now looking to advance athletes to the next level and beyond. So, we will set our lineup for that.”

Senior Dan Cook leads the way. The sprinter won the 100 and 200 and wants to make it to Columbus. His season ended abruptly last year with a leg injury.

“Dan is on a mission this year to get to the state meet,” said Stanko. “If he remains healthy I have no doubt about his chances. He’s very focused and works extremely hard.

“Senior Mark Gilloon has improved all around, but his best shot is with the high jump. It will be a very tight field at our district, but, I think he can do it.”

Central also has sophomore Lance Westlake, who moved over to the sprints this year from the hurdles.

“He has really turned up the heat these past few weeks and if he remains as focused and aggressive as he has been, I think he can do it,” said Stanko. “Also, junior hurdler Dan Fischer is another one who has improved as of late.

“His main event is the 300 hurdles and he’ll have to improve a bit more to challenge for one of the top spots.

“He also can advance in the 110s if he gets that time down into the low 15s.

“Lastly, our surprise of the season has been freshman Danny Schlich in the 3200. He just goes out there and gets the job done. He’s like the energizer bunny, he just keeps going and going.

“He’s run some impressive times the last few weeks and has scored in all of the invitationals we’ve competed in.

“The distance races in our district are very competitive and he’ll have to stay in the lead pack to get out. No matter what, I know he’ll give his best effort.”

The hard part for Stanko will come after the district meet at Newcomerstown.

In a decision yet to be explained or understood, the Crusaders’ teams will be split at regionals. The boys will go to Navarre to compete at Fairless High School while the girls head west to Pickerington North High School.

That means Stanko will have to decide which coaches, including himself, go where and with what teams.

“It does make it difficult when we only have one staff for both teams,” he said.

“We’ve been discussing our options throughout the season and have an idea of what we want to do. But, it all depends how things play out at the district.

“It’s tough. I hate to leave a team because it’s my job as head coach to be there for them.

“Luckily, I have coaches who I trust greatly and have no problem putting any one of them in charge in my absence.

“That does ease the stress a lot and will make the final decision much easier.”



(Mathison can be contacted at mmathison@heraldstaronline.com)