Raiders prep to defend N-O track titles

Photos by Mike Wertman – The veteran trio of Lydia Dewart, Caitlyn Mason and Rebecca Stoloski will help lead the Barker girls track team in a defense of their Niagara-Orleans League title this spring.

The Barker boys and girls track teams made school history last spring by both capturing Niagara-Orleans League championships with 6-0 records.

The title was the first for the girls team and the fifth in a row for the boys squad.

Senior Caitlyn Mason, who won the long jump and placed second in the triple jump, heads the Lady Raiders veteran group which also includes senior Erin Greenwald (3rd in pole vault, 4th in 100 hurdles), junior Lydia Dewart (3rd in 800) and senior Rebecca Stoloski (4th in discus).

“We’ve got a ton of great young talent so I’m eager to see how we do and how we grow,” said Coach Jim Jurewicz whose Lady Raiders are also looking to senior Alena Israel in the distance events and eighth grader Katrina Clare in the sprints.

Helping to anchor the lineup for the defending champ boys squad is this quartet of Kirk Fay, Jake Arnold, Jack Hopkins and Russell Larson.

Senior Brett Holland, who won the discus at last year’s N-O All-League meet, heads Barker’s veteran group which also includes senior Kirk Fay (2nd in shot-put) along with juniors Jake Arnold (5th in 800) and Jack Hopkins (4th in 3200).

“We’re rebuilding. We’re really young with a lot of freshmen and sophomores,” said Jurewicz whose Raiders are also looking to senior Russell Larson in the throws and freshman Dominic Clementi in the 400 and 400 hurdles.

The Barker teams are scheduled to begin their title defense at home on April 14 against Roy-Hart.

Schedule:
April 14 – Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.
April 19 – at Akron, 4:15 p.m.
April 28 – at Medina/Lyndonville, 4:15 p.m.
May 3 – Newfane, 4:15 p.m.
May 5 – Wilson, 4:15 p.m.
May 10 – at Albion, 4:15 p.m.
May 18 and 19 – All-League meet at Roy-Hart