Raiders look to extend N-O reign

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 April 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading the Barker High boys and girls track teams into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season are these Raider veterans. In front are Caitlyn Mason, Gabby Clare, Sergio Cruz and Hayden Hathaway. In back are Jacob Haight and Bryce Moller.

Anchored by a good returning nucleus, the Barker High boys track team is taking aim at claiming a fourth straight Niagara-Orleans League championship.

Seniors Jacob Haight and Byrce Moeller lead the Barker boys squad which has gone 6-0 in each of the past three years to claim the N-O title.

Haight placed first in both the high jump and triple jump and second in the long jump at last spring’s N-O All-League meet. He went on to win the long and high jumps and place third in the triple jump at the Section VI Division 2 championships and then place second in the high jump at the state meet.

Moeller won the N-O pentathlon competition and placed second in the event at the sectionals.

The Raiders other returning All-League meet place finishers include seniors Kolbe Greenwald (5th in 400), Jarid Worthington (6th in 400) and Hayden Hathaway (8th in 1600) along with juniors Sergio Cruz (3rd in 3200, 7th in 1600), Casey Webb (5th in 800), Thomas Callaghan (3rd in pentathlon) and sophomore Brett Holland (3rd in discus).

“We have a solid group of kids so I think we have a good a shot as anyone,” said Coach James Jurewicz. “It will come down to depth and I like our chances.”

The Raiders key losses to graduation were Brett Cole, who won the 100 and placed 4th in the 200 at the All-League meet, and Jordan Bender who won both the 1600 and 3200.

The Barker girls squad, which went 2-4 in N-O competition last spring, is led by sophomore Caitlyn Mason, who placed second in both the long jump and triple jump and third in the 400 and junior Kelsi Flegal, who took second in the 200 and fourth in the 100 at last year’s All-League meet.

Barker’s other returning All-League place finishers include junior Katie Przybyl (5th in 3000 and 6th in 1500) along with sophomores Erin Greenwald (4th in 400 hurdles and pole vault and 5th in 100 hurdles) and Madison Greenwald (6th in long jump).
The Lady Raiders also return junior Gabby Clare (hurdles), who missed the last part of the season a year ago due to an injury.

“We have some good kids back but we’ve also got a lot of question marks,” said Jurewicz.

The Raiders are scheduled to pen the N-O season April 22 at Medina/Lyndonville.

Barker’s schedule is as follows:
April 22 – at Medina/Lyndonville, 4:15 p.m.
April 29 – at Akron, 4:15 p.m.
May 1 – Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.
May 2 – at Pembroke Invitational, 4:30 p.m.
May 6 – Wilson, 4:15 p.m.
May 8 – at Albion, 4:15 p.m.
May 14 an 15 – All-League meet at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.
May 22 – All-League Steeplechase at Starpoint, 5 p.m.