Youthful Roy-Hart track teams prep for N-O League opener

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to lead the Roy-Hart track teams into Thursday’s Niagara-Orleans League season opening meet are these Ram veterans. In front are John Stoddard, Colton Spicer and Austin Dodge. In back are Amber Villella, Chelsea Herriven, Emma Lindke and Kaleigh Kuzma.

The accent is on youth as the Roy-Hart boys and girls track teams get set for Thursday’s Niagara-Orleans League season opening meet at Newfane.

“We’re looking forward to it,” said Coach Chris Smith whose youthful Rams squads have only seven seniors on the girls team and just six on the boys team. “We have really young teams on both sides. We’ve got some very talented young athletes though so we’re anxious to see where we are at. There is great anticipation to see what we can do.”

The Roy-Hart boys squad is led by the veteran trio of senior Colton Spicer (100, 200, high jump) and juniors John Stoddard (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles) and Austin Dodge (400, pole vault).

The Rams are also counting on two very versatile junior runners, Avery Green, who can run anything from the 400 to 3200 and Eugene Bush, who can do the 200 to 800.

The Lady Rams squad is led by the veteran quartet of senior Chelsea Herriven (1500, 300) and juniors Emma Lindke (100 hurdles, high jump, long jump) and Amber Villella (100, 200, long jump, high jump) and sophomore Kaleigh Kuzma (200, 400 hurdles).

The Lady Rams are also counting on senior Madison Berry (100 hurdles, 400 hurdles).

The Roy-Hart boys went 2-4 and the girls 0-6 in N-O competition last spring.

Roy-Hart’s Schedule

April 16 – at Newfane, 4:15 p.m.
April 21 – at Medina/Lyndonville, 4:15 p.m.
April 28 – Wilson, 4:15 p.m.
April 30 – Albion, 4:15 p.m.
May 5 – at Akron, 4:15 p.m.
May 7 – Barker, 4:15 p.m.
May 20 and 21 – N-O All-League meet at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.