SMETHPORT – Returning letterwinners will be the nucleus for the
Smethport boys’ track and field team in events such as throwing,
triple and high jumps, and the 800- and 1600-meter runs, according
to head coach Rick Woodring.

Back from last year’s 5-5 team are senior Kole Martin and junior
Dave Cooney in the discus, shot put and javelin events. Giving
Smethport some depth in these events will be seniors Andrew
Streicher and Cliff Edey.

Junior Andy Neatrour and sophomores Kyle Nolte, Caleb Cooper and
Tyler Mix will also compete in the field events.

Both Derek Nelson, a senior, and sophomore Steven Alfieri
lettered last season in the triple and high jumps. Additionally,
Alfieri and sophomore Matt McCann will run both of the hurdle
events.

Sophomore Kyle Lightner will return in pole vault. He and junior
Dave Taylor will give Smethport some valuable experience in the
800- and 1600-meter runs.

Juniors Chris Healy and Ryan Tanner will run the middle
distances, while Jamie Hargett will also compete in the distance
events.

This year’s lettermen, which make up half of the team, will have
to fill in the gaps left by eight seniors lost to graduation
including Joel Kohler, Tom Weaver and Kevin and Dan Shunk.

Woodring starts his 19th year as head coach with assistants Bill
Stephen, Corey Cochran, Jesse Cheatle, Max Simms and Kevin
Menendez.

For the girls, who are coming off a 6-4 season, seven were
district qualifiers last season in 11 events.

Returning are Tracy Woodring (400, 800), Rachel Hahn (pole
vault), Tori Menendez (3200 relay, both hurdles), April Alfieri
(100 hurdles, high jump) and Littney Switzer, Kara Hartzell and
Jessica Duffy all in the javelin.

Other letterwinners are Karissa Stuck and Ariel Tronetti, who
will be competing in the field events.

Tarra Sharro, a senior, will be competing in the field
events.

Woodring, a sophomore, also was a state qualifier in the
800-meter run.

Four girls, including Kristy Kinney, a district qualifier in the
shot put, have been lost to graduation from the 2008 team.

Smethport opens the season April 7 at Otto-Eldred.