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Oehler, Felton, Hurley lead North boys track There are no captains on the Williamsville North boys outdoor track team, but Spartans coach Brian Swatland does return seniors at key positions who lead by example. Back for the Spartans are seniors Steve Oehler, Sean Felton and Geoff Hurley. "They've been the ones leading us in everything," said Swatland. "They're the three hardest-workers on the team. The other kids look up to them because they work hard." Oehler is a four-year runner whose specialties are the 110 and 400 hurdles. Oehler broke the school indoor record in the 55-meter hurdles. "His techniques are really good," said Swatland. "His problem last year was he wasn't fast enough, but he's really been concentrating on his speed and has gotten his times down." Felton replaces 2007 seniors Matt and Greg Losi as the team's top long and triple jumper. Felton is coming off an outstanding indoor season where he won his first sectional title in the triple jump. At sectionals last year, Matt Losi won the long jump and took fourth in the triple jump, and Greg Losi took third in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump. It is amazing Felton is able to jump as well as he has. During the outdoor season last spring, Felton fractured his left shin and partially tore his left medial collateral ligament high jumping. Felton was in a leg cast for most of the summer and missed out on playing for the North football team. Felton also dealt with a hip flexor injury during the indoor season. Swatland thinks Felton should be able to triple jump around 43 or 44 feet this spring. "Losing the two Losi brothers hurt, but Sean should get first in the long and triple jump in every league meet," said Swatland. "I don't see anybody in the league beating him." Hurley missed qualifying for outdoor sectionals last year by one second. Hurley can run the 800, 1,600, 3,200, and 4x800 relay. "He's a gritty type of kid with a lot of heart and character," said Swatland. "If someone passes him, odds are he will catch them. He's always the first one at all workouts. He's the leader of the distance team." Hurley and Felton have each been on the team for four years. Another returning distance runner is senior Mike Thielman. Swatland said Thielman's times in the 800 and 1,600 have gone down considerably from last year. Thielman, in his third year with the team, can also run the 3,200 and the 4x800 relay. Senior exchange student Lars Wossidlo and sophomore first-year outdoor runner Ryan Perry will also run legs on the 4x800 relay. Hurley will anchor the relay. Wossidlo is the team's best open 400 runner, said Swatland. Perry can also run the 800 and the 1,600. Other returning athletes are junior Evan Hughes in the open 100 and 200, long jump and triple jump; juniors Kyle Siskar and Willie Jones and sophomore Tom Calandra in the pole vault; senior Ted Donner in the hurdles; and freshman Collin Preston in the sprints. Sophomore Sinclair Johnson makes his debut in sprinting events. Swatland said his team is large in terms of numbers (mid 60s) but young in terms of experience. "Some of the kids had good indoor seasons, but indoor and outdoor are totally different," said Swatland. "With outdoor, you have to always worry about the elements. It will be interesting to see how we do. We're thin at a lot of running and field events."
North finished 1-3 in ECIC Division I but won the Town of Amherst Championships for the fifth consecutive year. |
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