Veterans lead Albion track squads

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 April 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Heading the Albion girls track team’s veteran group is this foursome of Chanyce Powell, Mariah Elsenheimer, Abby Squicciarini and Kayla Doyle.

After both finishing in the runner-up spot last spring, the Albion High boys and girls track teams are looking for a core group of veterans to again lead the Purple Eagles challenge for top Niagara-Orleans League honors this season.

The Albion girls squad, which went 5-1 last spring to finsh behind 6-0 Akron, is led by senior Abby Squicciarini, the three-time defending N-O champion in the 100 and 200, and freshman Chanyce Pwell, who won both the long jump and triple jump at the All-League meet.

The Purple Eagles returning All-League meet place finishers also include sophomore Mariah Elsenheimer, who took third in both the 100 and 200, sophomore Mahgoney Taylor, who was third in the high jump and fourth in the 100 hurdles and junior Sarah Metzler who placed fifth in the shot-put.

Squicciarini and Elsenheimer along with senior Kayla Doyle were also members of the Purple Eagles 400 relay team which captured the Section VI Division 2 title setting a new N-O record time of :49.69.

“Our 4×100 relay team is the top returning team in the section so we have high hopes for them going to the states,” said Coach Mark Hryvniak.

The Purple Eagles key losses to graduation include Eboni Taylor who won the 100 hurdles at the All-League meet and was the fourth member of the 400 relay team, Brianna Dixon who won the pole vault at the All-League and Skyler Green who placed second in the shot-put and fifth in the discus.

“We’ve got some good kids back but we also lost some big point getters,” said Hryvniak.

The Purple Eagles underclassmen dominated roster includes only five other seniors Kendell Piccirilli, Janie Schutz, Arianna Smith, Chloe Christofaro and Jessica Green.

Photo by Mike Wertman – The Albion boys track squad is led by this veteran group of, in front, Aaron Chen and Dylan Burkhardt. In back are Jacob Squicciarini, Josh Girvin and Justyn Haines.

The Albion boys squad which likewise went 5-1 last spring to finish behind undefeated (6-0) three-time champion Barker, is led by senior pole vaulter Justyn Haines who won the N-O and Section VI Division 2 titles and went on to place second at the state championships with a best vault of 14-3.

The Purple Eagles other returning All-League meet place finishers include seniors Mike Eldred (2nd in discus), Josh Girvin (3rd in pole vault), Dylan Burkhardt (4th in shot-put) and Brett Zicari (5th in shot-put) along with juniors Aaron Chen (1st in 3200 relay), Jacob Squicciarini (5th in 100).

Albion is also looking for points in the jumps from sophomore Manwell Taylor and 8th grader Jordan Jacobs and in the throws from sophomore Mike Laine.

Again, the Purple Eagles underclassmen dominated roster includes only four other seniors Jarod Biemans, Brandon Brown, Mark Gibson and Robert June.

“We’ve got a lot of young kids but it’s as nice a group as we’ve had. They are very positive, upbeat and are working hard,” said Coach Wayne Wadhams. “We’ve got kids stepping up to fill holes and kids jumping right in there and trying events to help us fill out the lineup.”

The Purple Eagles key losses to graduation include Marquise Riddick, who was a quadruple winner at the All-League meet in the 200, 110 hurdles, 400 hurdles and long jump, Mike Capurso won won the 800, Colby Baney who placed second in both the 800 and 1600 and Brett Rosato who took fourth in the 3200.

The Purple Eagles will open the N-O season April 10 at home against Wilson.

Albion’s schedule is as follows:
April 10 – Wilson, 4:15 p.m.
April 22 – at Akron, 4:15 p.m.
April 24 – Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.
April 26 – at Penfield Invitational, 10 a.m.
May 1 – at Medina, 4:15 p.m.
May 6 – at Newfane, 4:15 p.m.
May 8 – Barker, 4:15 p.m.
May 10 – at Batavia Invitational, 2 p.m.
May 14 and 15 – All-League meet at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.
May 22 – Steeplechae at Starpoint, 5 p.m.