BOYS' TRACK & FIELD PREVIEW:

TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

Reprinted from the Patriot News – Rob Frisco

EAST JUNIATA Tigers

Coach: Mark Ritzman.

The big picture: Easy to forget about EJ, now that the Tigers are a District 4 school. And it seems the feeling is mutual. But the Tigers, usually functional-to-good in track, seem to be in that range again. They won't win the league, but they can cause some trouble along the way.

Top performers: Tyler Erhard, Devon Landis, Clemeta Tapia.

GREENWOOD Wildcats

Coach: Tom Magill and John Magill.

The big picture: The Brothers Magill have had better years up in the northwest corner of Perry County . If nothing else, you could count on the 'Cats to come up with a whiz-bang pole vaulter, but even that event seems to be average this year. But Greenwood has always merited respect, and we see no reason to change that template.

Top performers: Garrett Frank (sr sprints), Andrew Roth (so sprints), Evan Roush (sr jumps), Matt Lehman (jr trhows).

JUNIATA Indians

Coach: Kim Hart.

The big picture: For years, Gary Klingensmith commanded the infield at Juniata meets with generally good results, especially in the hurdles, middle distance and sprints. Now Klingensmith has given way to his daughter, Kim (married to Juniata 's uber-successful head wrestling coach Bob) Hart. He didn't give his baby girl an empty shelf; the Indians have a real crack at taking away the TVL title from Millersburg.

Top performers: Brooks Ennist (jumps), Caleb Parson (hurdles), Garret Leiter (hurdles).

MILLERSBURG Indians

Coach: Tim Sanville.

The big picture: The defending league champions have prospered in recent seasons with good turnouts that enabled Sanville to shift his lineup. The Indians have been especially strong in the distance events in recent years, something that will not change one bit with seniors Brad Kerstetter and Gavin Whitteker, junior Justin Keefer and sophomore Ian Klinger. That was a dangerous 4x800 team last year -- third in PIAA Class AA -- and it could be better this year. Dang.

Top performers: Brad Kerstetter (sr distance), Gavin Whitteker (sr distance), Justin Keefer (jr distance), Ian Klinger (so distance), Brigham Snyder (sr sprints, pole vault), Cory Shoop (sr sprints), Steve Gardner (sr hurdles), Brandon Ribovich (throws), Seth Landgraf (throws).

UPPER DAUPHIN Trojans

Coach: Carmen Defrancesco.

The big picture: OK, it's an uphill climb for the Trojans, who scored just seven points in a recent dual. Defrancesco, who took over the football program at the beginning of the school year, moves into the track position. There's no question Carmy started at the ground floor this year. But that's where all good structures start.

Top performers: Tyler Klinger (sprints), Tyler Erdman (distance), Justin Erdman (distance), Ryan Matter (throws), Jerome Miller (sprints), Kolbe Fetterhoff (hurdles).