Seniors expected to lead way for Laurel Highlands girls’ track team
Numbers are strong for Laurel Highlands girls track and field coach Ron Morris. It is a strength, when coupled with senior leadership, gives the Fillies a step in the right direction for the Section 2-AAA championship and a berth in the team playoffs. “We have 63 girls out. It helps us to plug some of our weaknesses. We have 10 seniors. They will play a key role in the success of our team,” Morris said.
Michol Monaghan, Diane Gmiter, Deena Blanc, Janelle Durany, Amanda Hardison, Chelsea Mathews and Christy Cuppett are the experience for the Fillies.
“They’ll determine if we’ll have a successful season. Michol is one of the top distance runners in the state and Diane is a top shot putter in the state. Deena is very versatile. She’ll run the 300 intermediate hurdles, the 1,600 relay, and anywhere from 100-1,600 and do the pole vault. We have Janelle in the long and triple jumps. Amanda is a thrower, but her best event is the javelin. Christy will do all three throws and Chelsea is our top returner in the high jump,” Morris said.
The Fillies have a nice collection of juniors with Danielle LaPresta and Jessi Evans in the middle distances, Colbie Foreman in the hurdles and Lauren Mahoney in the jumps and pole vault.
Sophomores Rachel Perry and Sarah Workman will add depth in the distances with Tanisha Parker and Emily Bota filling in the lanes in the sprints. Among the freshmen to catch Morris’ eye in the early workouts are Samantha Zavatchen, Molly Macioce, Brittany Zack and Amber Sanner.
“Outstanding,” Morris said of his 2003 squad. “We’ve never had a group as big and talented. This year has more depth than in all previous years we’ve ever had. We have more outstanding individual athletes than we’ve ever had.”
Morris tempered his remarks, adding, “You never know. We’ll have a better insight on the team after the first few meets. The total success is how quickly the inexperienced girls improve. They’ll give us the edge.”
Morris agreed with Costello in his views on the section.
“Connellsville is the team to watch. They have experience and tremendous athletes. We should be able to contend with Derry and Uniontown is always a rival.”
The Fillies open the season this afternoon with a non-section meet at Penn Trafford.