Mustangs poised to repeat as Section 2 track champions
Laurel Highlands boys track and field coach Bob Costello lost a lot of quality athletes from last season’s Section 2-AAA championship team, but feels he has a balanced enough team to make another run at a section title. “We have 58 boys out. We have a fairly balanced team with freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors,” Costello said.
Gone from last year’s team are Nathan Forse, Adam Shinsky, Jerry Powell, Garrett Brain, Jack Rose and Bryan Florkevich. Though he has veteran performers returning, Costello admitted he has a young team with first-year seniors and juniors along with several sophomores and freshmen.
“The weather has been so haphazard you can’t get a good feel in what we have in some events,” commented Costello.
One event Costello has a good feel about is the pole vault because he has WPIAL medallist and state qualifier Brandon Mahoney returning. Tony Patitucci gives the Mustangs a quality performer in the sprints, long jump and javelin while Matt Humbert expects to give Laurel Highlands points in both hurdles.
Mike Elias is a versatile performer in the throws with Rob Sloan a steady thrower in the shot put and Danny Garbutt in the discus. Chris Manges and Alex Bota will be counted on heavily in the sprints.
Youth is the word in the distances with sophomores Larry Brink and Ben Shinsky. Steve Bobich will fill the gaps in the middle distances.
“We’re strong in places where it’s hared to be strong early, but we need to develop depth. We’ll look to get first and second or first and third in the running events. It will be hard to for (Brink and Shinsky) to compete against seniors,” Costello said.
“We have no glaring weakness. We’re well rounded in our first person. “
Costello has outlined the 2003 season in his mind for his team, but it’s up to the Mustangs to meet his expectations.
“Our goal is to be the best team we can be. The team needs to develop a personality like we have in the past,” Costello said.
Costello handicapped the section with the usual suspects.
“Derry is an unknown quantity. Connellsville is always a strong team. It’s turned into a good rivalry for both teams and Uniontown is always a rivalry.”
The Mustangs open the 2003 season today on the road at Penn Trafford. Laurel Highlands will be the host school for the county meet on Saturday, April 26.