By Jacob Malensek (video and photos by Sam Milani)
BOYS (see schedule here):
After a 1 one loss season, last year, the Nordonia Boys look to continue their success into the 2018 season. However, the boys team graduated their top 3 sprinters, 2 of the best pole vaulters in Nordonia history and 3 very talented throwers. The boys team will only have a handful of seniors this year and will rely on some young talent to help out. The seniors though will be at the forefront. Senior sprinters, Larry Hart, Eric King and Sam Hopes will provide the speed in the 100, 200 and 400m as well as the relays. And Sophomore Brenden Jackson should take lead in the Hurdles. Senior Distance runners Josh Palmentera, Dan Moore, and Jake Vetrovsky will lead the knights through the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter races. On the Field event side the Knights remain very young. In the High Jump, juniors Jordan Dearth and Evan Svendsen will take lead. In long jump the knights could be very young with Sophomore Dominick Stockle leading the way. Juniors Jon DePiero and Dominic Shamblin should carry the Knights in Pole Vault. Last but not least is the Throwers, junior Dominic Dasher and senior Dillon Evans are slated to be the best 2. The Knights may have lost some key members to the team last year but this Knights team is ready to shock the Suburban League. Lead by a man who has coached some state champions and even a future NFL star, you can never count this team out.
GIRLS (see schedule here):
The Nordonia girls went Undefeated again last year and look to do it again in 2018. Although they may have lost some talent, they look stocked for a district championship or even more. The Lady Knights have had the same core girls for the past few seasons and they now enter their senior season together. Seniors Faith Banks, Aja Duvall, Jazz Scott and Carmen Licht in 100,200 and 400 races along with the relays. The Hurdle team is lead by Senior Katrina Eterovich who helps the team in relays as well. On the distance side, Lizzy Gurko and Caroline Lohm are projected to lead the team but Juniors Gina Eterovich, Kayla Vasarhelyi and Abby Rice should put up great times as well. The long jump team is deep. They are lead by seniors, Jazz Scott and Katrina Eterovich but the talent behind them could be a great foundation for years to come. The high jump for the Lady Knights is an interesting one. Throughout the indoor season, Freshman Tiniah Thomas made it all way to the all-star meet but the Lady Knights also have returning high jumpers Ariyaun Robinson and Kayla Childs. Pole vault is led by Junior Grace Coghill much like it was last year. The throwing team is led by juniors Sarah Shedroff and Jenesis Rankins. The Lady Knights are poised for a big season and everyone expects them to be a top team in the district. Head Coach Scott Barwidi will have this team ready to go.
