SMETHPORT (EC) ––  Smethport boys track and field head coach Rick Woodring has 16 lettermen back this spring, including seven district qualifiers.

Six seniors will provide the Hubbers with experience, while the nine sophomores will be gaining valuable experience for the future. Twenty-six boys are on the team.

The seniors are Andrew Gallup, hurdles; Blaine Groshek (distance, pole vault), Jared Pavlock (distance), Colin Strom (throws), Justin Tanner (400, jumps) and Dylan Whitsell (jumps).

Sophomores are Dale Burdick (javelin), Darion Gregory (distance) Peter Heath (distance) and Eric Szarowicz), Caleb Lutz (throws), Isaac Olson (throws), Brandon Peterson (middle distance, pole vault), Christian Tanner (middle distance, pole vault) and Tyler Newman (middle distance).

Andrew Knapp, the lone junior among the lettermen, competes in the hurdles.

“Gregory, Groshek, Gallup, Newman, Szarowicz and the Tanners were district qualifiers last season,” said head coach Rick Woodring, now in his 27th season.

Senior Zach Gamet is new to the team. His events are hurdles and jumps.

The remaining nine boys, with their various events, should bode well for the Hubbers’ future. They are juniors Mason Christie (sprints), Brayden Southard (throws) and Jordan Van Gorder (throws).

From the sophomore class is Josh Hauber (throws).

In their first year of eligibility are freshmen, Justin Gallup (sprints), Hunter Helsley (jumps), Antonio Lettmen (sprints and jumps), Ethan Nannen (distance and pole vault) and Shayne Westfal (throws, middle distance).

Woodring has again assembled a staff of veteran assistant coaches in Bill Stephen, Corey Cochran, Jesse Cheatle and Max Simms.

Both of the Hubbers’ teams begin their season at home Tuesday against Kane and Northern Potter.