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By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

March 30, 2010 Last Updated: March 30, 2010 12:48 PM High School

Butler pole vaulter Adam Marzullo is back to help the Golden Tornado capture the WPIAL Class AAA team track and field crown.

Knoch seeks another title in 2nd year in section

Knoch found its new section to its liking last season, coming away with the title.

So, what does season two have in store for the Knights?

"Despite the fact we have a lot of experience, we are young. But I like our work ethic, our attitude," said Knights coach Wess Brahler.

"It's very exciting to get the chance to repeat. It should be very challenging," he added.

Knoch is joined by Mars, Hampton, Kiski Area, Highlands and Avonworth-Northgate in the section after years of competing with Butler, North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, Shaler and North Hills.

The Knights join Moniteau, the KSAC champion that snapped Karns City's 87-meet winning streak, Slippery Rock (District 10 Region 2) and Freeport (section) in trying to defend their titles.

Freeport (WPIAL Class AA) and Butler (WPIAL Class AAA) were runners-up for district crowns as well.

The following are previews for the upcoming boys track and field season:

Coach: Rick Schontz, ninth yearLast season: 10-2 overall, 6-1 in the section for second place, second at WPIAL Class AAA championshipTop returners: Seniors Logan Renwick (hurdles, jumps), Eric Turner (sprints), Eli Christy (sprints, sprint relays), Tyler Jaillet (sprints), Corbin Seezox (sprints), C.J. Burger (sprints, hurdles), Matt Rekich (hurdles), Lance Dugger (distance), Grant Baron (distance), Jeff Tompkins (jumps), Adam Marzullo (pole vault) and Chris Ricker (throws); juniors Darius Hightower (sprints), Emilio Rosario (sprints), Evan Gomez (distance), Matt Pribis (distance, hurdles), Nick Legacy (pole vault), Nick Martin (throws), Mike Braun (jumps) and Matt Cole (throws); sophomores Derek Lenhart (sprints), Carlos Sanchez (hurdles), Spencer Murray (jumps), James Gregor (jumps), Mike McPherson (throws); Brandon Reamer (throws), Dakota Collins (throws)Strengths: Sprints, hurdles, jumpsWeaknesses: Experience in throwsCoach's comment: "We'll take it meet by meet. The whole section is getting better. We have high hopes for the team."

Coach: Ray Peaco, third yearLast season: 8-2 overall, third in sectionTop returners: Seniors Andrew Razanauskas (distance), Andrew Kriley (jumps, sprints), Mike Hughes (middle distance, sprints), Evan Hetzel (jumps, sprints), Mitch Codd (pole vault) and P.J. Blinn (sprints); juniors Tim Wolfe (jumps, throws), Hunter Williams (sprints, long jump), Bob Watson (distance), Steve Swanson (throws), Aaron Pynos (throws), Alex Mascio (distance), Mike Martin (sprints, jumps), Brent Kendrick (distance), Mark Davis (middle distance) and Dylan Bilka (pole vault); sophomores Lucas Wildman (throws) and Matt King (hurdles)Strengths: Sprints, jumps, middle distanceWeaknesses: Distance, hurdlesCoach's comment: "It will be a tough fight for our 31st consecutive winning season. ... We have 97 boys and we'll see who we can move around, see what we can do, what we can't do."

Coach: Wess Brahler, seventh yearLast season: 12-3 overall, 5-0 in the section for first place, lost in WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinalsTop returners: Seniors Paul Kletzli (hurdles), Steve Snow (sprints, middle distance), Dillon Schwertz (distance) and Grayson Hixon (jumps); juniors Adam Tuzikow (throws), Van McCarren (distance), K.J. McCrea (distance) and Anthony Williams (sprints); sophomores Andrew Rumburg-Goodlin (sprints) and Ky Kenyon (sprints)Strengths: Sprints, distance, jumpsWeaknesses: Depth in throwsCoach's comment: "We have a good mix of upperclassmen and younger athletes. ... As long as we are injury-free, we should do very well in the section."

Coach: Eric Harsh, first yearLast season: 6-2 overall, 4-2 in the sectionTop returners: Seniors Marc Funderlich and Brody Evanson (throws); junior Shane Cress (throws); sophomore Ryan Winner (distance)Strengths: Middle distance, distanceWeaknesses: Throws, low number of athletes (46), inexperienceCoach's comment: "It's one of those weird years where underclassmen make up most of the team. the sophomore class is a strong class. Even though the senior numbers are low, we have good, quality kids. It's definitely a rebuilding year, but look at our conference. A few teams are competitive year in and year out, but there's not a team that's head and shoulders above everyone else."

Coach: Bill Dillen, 17th yearLast season: 12-1 overall, section champions and WPIAL Class AA runner-upTop returners: Seniors Nick Gentile (middle distance), Alex Isenberg (jumps), Darius Frantz (Jumps), Tyler Collins (jumps), Andy Teorsky (sprints) and Tyler Pajersky (pole vault); juniors Marcel Ittner (sprints) and Derek Durand (hurdles, relay)Strengths: Jumps, sprints, middle distanceWeaknesses: ThrowsCoach's comment: "We're kind of balanced with the boys team. ... We have to get a meet under our belt, then we'll have a better idea."

Coach: Rich Monti, fifth yearLast season: 2-6 overallKey athletes: Senior Tevin Allison (hurdles, triple jump); juniors Anwar Badia (sprints, jumps), Domenic Gilzene (sprints, jumps) and Anthony Reed (sprints); sophomores Darren Marable (throws) and Niran Williams (throws)Strengths: Sprints, jumpsWeaknesses: Distance, throwsCoach's comment: "Usually, we have the talent here and there, but overall we're a little more consistent with our athletic ability. We had a somewhat successful year last year, individuals as well as the team. We're hoping for the kids to build on that."

Coach: Mike Kish, 31st yearLast season: 6-0, Region 2 champion for second consecutive yearTop returners: Seniors Ayron Gallagher (throws), Sam Lotz (jumps), Nate McDowell (middle distance, jumps), Jacob Spurk (distance), Jackson Udy (distance) and Nick Steele (pole vault); juniors Nate Fowler (discus), John McAvoy (sprints, long jump), Seth Randolph (sprints), Jack Viale (throws) and Cody Prelec (hurdles); sophomores Jason Anna (distance), Alex Fleckner (distance) and Ian Kovski (distance)Strengths: DistanceWeaknesses: Hurdles, sprints, throwsCoach's comment: "My biggest hole to fill is hurdles. We had dominated in that. .. We should be very competitive."

Coach: Mickey Hardenburg, third yearLast season: N/ATop returners: Seniors Aaron Anderson (middle distance, distance), Leonard Howard (jumps) and Mark Jaskowak (javelin, distance); juniors Jake Kildoo (middle distance, distance) and Cody Karcher (pole vault); sophomores Josh Armstrong (jumps) and Pat Rattser (hurdles)Strengths: Middle distance, distanceWeaknesses: Sprints, throwsCoach's comment: "We have a big group with a lot of first-year people. I think we can have a really good year."

Coach: Don Black, 23rd yearLast season: 9-1 overall, second in the KSACTop returners: Seniors Bryce Foreback (distance), Cameron Harp (distance), Mike Scott (hurdles, jumps), Nick Lopresti (sprints) and Tim Johnston (jumps), juniors Darren Best (distance), Dustin Scheerbaum (sprints), Brian Best (jumps), Cody Coyle (jumps, pole vault), Zach Kepple (throws), Nate Ealy (throws), Chris Zenosko (throws), Colin Cochran (throws) and J.C. Bolts (throws); sophomores Ethan McGarvey (distance), Tyler Marsinetti (hurdles), Luke Gordon (hurdles), Dylan Surrena (sprints), Tyler Martin (jumps), Mike Turner (jumps) and Tom Stoughton (throws)Strengths: Distance, sprintsWeaknesses: Hurdles, jumpsCoach's comment: "We're replacing a super group of seniors that lost one meet in four years. They were district performers and all-conference performers. We have a lot of holes and we'll try to plug some of holes."

Coach: Mark Kosick, 27th yearLast season: 9-0, KSAC championsTop returners: Seniors Victor Santoyo (jumps), Cody Thompson (hurdles), Jacob Boy (throws), Nathan Guterry (throws), Tony Miller (distance), Max Voelker (throws), Phil Kristufek (distance), James Shope (sprints), Chris Cokain (sprints)Strengths: Jumps, throwsWeaknesses: Depth in track eventsCoach's comment: "We've been lucky the last four, five years that we've had pretty good kids and pretty good hard workers. We just want to keep getting better as the year goes on. If we win meets, that's great. If not, as long as we get better that'll be good, too."

Coach: Denny Stewart, 36th yearLast season: 6-3 in the KSACTop returners: Seniors Brennan Bliss (shot put), Dillon Heasley (pole vault), Adam Myers (distance), Scott Booth (jumps, sprints), Logan Mortimer (sprints), Don Kemmeny (middle distance); juniors Richie Corle (throws), Shawn Booth (pole vault), Shawn Burns (distance), Chase Johnston (jumps), Chris Deitz (distance)Strengths: Throws, jumpsWeaknesses: Sprints, middle distanceCoach's comment: "We have a lot of guys who play baseball ... so we'll juggle things around. ... We try to be at our peak performance in the middle of May, not the beginning of April."

Coach: Bruce Beichner, third yearLast season: 5-7 overallTop returners: Seniors Ken Switzer (middle distance), Jordan Miller (distance) and Brett Hindman (distance); junior Evan Wagner (throws)Strengths: Throws, middle distance, distanceWeaknesses: SprintsCoach's comment: "We have a lot of young kids but we're building the program. That's the whole goal: to get kids out and let those younger kids compete and see it's a lot of fun."