East possesses right mix to improve record

The Williamsville East girls outdoor track team has the right combination of exceptional talent, returning leadership and new faces for the 2008 season to build on last year's successes and turn the corner toward improving last year's sixth-place ECIC Division II record.

East coach Kurt Holme said middle-distance runners often serve as the foundation of a track team, and sophomores Melissa Spada and Caroline Steele will enjoy that responsibility for the Lady Flames. Additional support will be found in junior Brianna Zangara; sophomores Kayla Acklin, Morgan Begy, Amy French and Lisa LiPuma; and freshman Lavanya Rao.

The sprint events may be one of East's strongest areas and will be led by an exceptional eighth-grader, Kala Allen, who took fourth in the 400 and fifth in the 500 at last year's Section VI Championships. Senior co-captain Erin Boyd will supply support.

Others expected to contribute are junior Rhea Francani; sophomores Jessica McNulty, Dani Dee, Regan Prater, Mariah Reed, Alison Milbrand, Juliana Hernandez, Melissa Waziak and Anna Butler; freshman Mary Jo Russo; and two of the top middle school athletes in Williamsville, Sarah Spitznagle and Margaux Gill.

Holme said East's distance race success rests on the fleet feet of senior co-captain Mary Barker, with help from senior co-captains Colleen Lauer and Hillary Scrivanni, seniors Kristen Leonard and Tori Mayer, juniors Nobiru Suzuki and Laura Stelianou, and sophomore Jill Cutspec, who is also a jumper.

The hurdle chores rest in the able hands of senior co-captains Kristin Saviola and Emma Hahn, with support from sophomore Rebecca Slonim and talented freshman Monica Munoz, who also finds time for the sprints and shot put, Holme said.

Pacing the Lady Flames in the long and triple jumps will be versatile junior Kristin Ostansky, who can also do the hurdles, sprints and relays. Also competing in the jumps are fellow juniors Sara Carver and Chelsea Bazilian and sophomores Madaline Torke and Kristina Felber.

Throwing the shot and discus will be sophomores Kristin Alcazaren, Kathleen McCarthy, and Elizabeth Chestnut, with support from senior Alexandra Minneci.

Holme said optimism, hard work and enthusiasm should be the key ingredients for team and individual success.
East 2008 Schedule
4-19 East at WNY Officials Relays
(Erie Community College - South
Campus, Jim Ball Stadium) 9 a.m.
4-24 at South ................ 4:30 p.m.
4-26 at Kenmore Track and Field
Invitational (Crosby Field) 9 a.m.
4-29 at Pioneer.................. 5 p.m.
5-3 at Depew Wildcat Relays (John
F. Kennedy High School) 1:30 p.m.
5-6 at Starpoint ............ 4:30 p.m.
5-10 at Starpoint Spartan Team
Challenge (Starpoint High
School) .......................... 9:30 a.m.
5-13 Iroquois................. 4:30 p.m.
5-17 at Joe Paterniti Memorial
Track and Field Classic
(Jamestown Strider Field) 10 a.m.
5-20 Amherst ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-27 at Town of Amherst Championships
(Amherst High School)
......................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-30 at ECICs (John F. Kennedy
High School) ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-31 at ECICs (John F. Kennedy
High School) ....................... noon
6-6 at Section VI Championships
(Jamestown High School, Strider
Field) .................................... noon
6-7 at Section VI Championships
(Jamestown High School, Strider
Field) .................................... noon