Division title possible at Sweet Home
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sweet Home boys outdoor track coach Mike Lauria returns a number of upper classmen who should help the Panthers fare well this spring.

Some key returning athletes are seniors Andrew Hopkins, Nick Christman, Dan Miranda, and Michael Bakowski and junior Isaac Hagen.

"We have a solid group of returners whose constant work ethic should pay off this season," said Lauria.

Hopkins and Christman went 4-5 in the shot put at last year's Section VI Championships. Lauria feels Hopkins should be one of the top throwers in the area and with Christman, should help score a lot of points for the team.

Miranda's top events are the pentathlon, hurdles and jumping events. Miranda took eighth in the pentathlon at last year's sectionals.

"Dan's a hard worker who has worked hard to improve in the jumps and hurdles," said Lauria.

Bakowski is a four-year runner who is the team's top returning distance runner, said Lauria.

Hagen is another distance runner who Lauria said should be competitive in distance events as well.

Sophomore newcomer Josh Blango is coming off a great year of indoor track where he qualified for the state meet in the 55-meter hurdles.

Blango, who Lauria said has "outstanding talent", will compete in the hurdle and jumping events.

Lauria said a team strength is the field events.

Sweet Home finished 5-1 last year in league meets. Lauria feels his team will be competitive in the division.
Sweet Home 2008 Schedule
4-19 East at WNY Officials Relays (Erie Community
College - South Campus, Jim Ball Stadium) 9 a.m.
4-22 W.S. West............................................. 4:30 p.m.
4-26 at Kenmore Track and Field Invitational (Crosby
Field)............................................................. 9 a.m.
4-29 at Jamestown .......................................... 5 p.m.
5-3 at Depew Wildcat Relays (John F. Kennedy High
School) ......................................................... 1:30 p.m.

5-6 at Hamburg ........................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-10 at Starpoint Spartan Team Challenge (Starpoint
High School)..................................... 9:30 a.m.
5-13 W.S. East ............................................. 4:45 p.m.
5-20 Lake Shore.......................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-24 at WNY Boys Track and Field Classic (Clarence
High School) .................................................... 9 a.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 p.m.
5-31 at ECICs (John F. Kennedy High School) . 10
a.m.
6-6 at Section VI Championships (Jamestown High
School, Strider Field) ....................................... noon
6-7 at Section VI Championships (Jamestown High
School, Strider Field) ....................................... noon