Schools Sports

Spring Sports Panther Preview: Track & Tennis

After a stubborn, lingering winter it finally seems as if SPRING HAS SPRUNG!  What that means for the wonderful world of Saucon Valley School District sports is that Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Tennis and Track are now under way. Today, Saucon Source finishes the series with a little snapshot of the Panther Track and Tennis programs.  Check it out!

Est. Read Time: 5 mins

Saucon Valley junior, Zoe Zaharakis welcomes the spring season with open arms.

After a stubborn, lingering winter it finally seems as if SPRING HAS SPRUNG!  What that means for the wonderful world of Saucon Valley School District sports is that Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Tennis and Track are now under way.

Less than a week ago Panther coaches Marty Lewis and Todd Lipp had the snow shovel out so their team could practice.

According to Saucon Valley Athletic Director, Bob Frey, almost 400 Panther student-athletes have registered and are roaring to go for the start of the 2018 PIAA Spring season!

Panther Athletics Spring sports breakdown (# of participants)!

  •  Baseball: (32)
  •  Softball: (14),  Junior High Softball (14)
  •  Boys LAX: (32)
  •  Girls LAX: (37)
  •  Boys Tennis:  (16)
  •  Track & Field: (118), Middle School Track & Field (48)
  • Coed MS Soccer:  (40)
  • A.D. EXTRA:  Panther Athletics is in need of 6-8 volunteers to work the two Varsity Track meets on April 5th and 10th. Volunteers are needed to assist with working events and recording results. No prior experience or knowledge is required.  Clearances are free.  Please contact the athletic office if you are interested!

Tommy Gallagher leading the way into the 2018 PIAA Track and Field season.

Like so many others who were tired of feeling the stubborn chill of winter, Saucon Source, too, is welcoming the change.  So, with the new sports season heating up, we are thrilled to provide our readers with previews of the different Panther sports.  Today, Saucon Source finishes the series with a little snapshot of the Panther Track and Tennis programs.  Check it out!

On Monday, Olivia Frey was finally able to get outside and get some real practice.

TRACK & FIELD PREVIEW

  • Head Coach:  Ed Kolosky (middle distance, distance)
  • Assistant Coaches:  Todd Lipp (Throws), Martin Lewis (vertical and horizontal jumps), Phillip Russell (sprints and hurdles), Chelsea Riverbark (middle distance and distance)
  • Seniors: Ethan Bernstein, Ely Brown, Elias Englehart, Tommy Gallagher, Kyle Kalinchock, Zach Pinczok, Paul Reily, Ethan Smiley, Chris Smith, Ben Szydlow, Sam Ward, Cooper Weber, Alstan Wolfe, Camryn Butera, Alexa Chaikowsky, Olivia Gardiner, Lexi Hollingsworth, Hannah Miller, Brianna Regalis, Joslynn Rose, Jordan Spohn
  • Returning Impact Players:
    • Girls:  Sophomore Talitha Diggs (sprints, jumps, hurdles), senior Joslyn Rose (jumps and pole vault), juniors Kiele and Brooke Riefenstahl (middle distance and distance), junior Natalie Hagan throws, junior Isabella Medei (hurdles)
    • Boys:  Senior Ethan Bernstein (middle distance and distance), senior Nathan Orr (pole vault), senior Patrick Zuber (throws), junior John Chaffier (throws), junior Timmy Weaver (throws), junior (Chan Ho Kim ( jumps), sophomore Dane Csencsits (sprints) and junior Kelvin Gallard (sprints)
  • Newcomers:  “We also have a few athletes that are dual-sporting with baseball like Alstan Wolfe, Tommy Gallagher, and Chris Smith. If their previous athletic successes in other sports are any indication of where they will fit in, we could be in for a few pleasant surprises.”
  • Coach Kolosky’s Keys To Success:  “Our Team goals are to remain healthy and competitive throughout the season and to peak as we near Colonial League, District XI, and PIAA State Championships. While “mother nature” continues to throw us curves, we are doing our best to make accommodations to the adverse weather conditions and train towards these goals.”
  • Top Competition:  “Wilson is always a formidable opponent on the boys’ side and Southern Lehigh has been a contender for the last few seasons as well. For the girls, NWL and Southern Lehigh have been dominant with very few gaps. But if we fire on all six cylinders, both Saucon teams could be in the drivers seat against any team in the league.”
  • Other bits and bites:
    • “Both teams are in the PIAA “AAA” classification for Districts and States once again this season so competition will be even more fierce once the season ends.  This is the time of year when we really need to be hitting our stride and best marks.
    • “This will be our final year of training and competing at home on a cinder track. Our School Board unanimously approved the construction of a six lane all-weather surfaced facility with two D’s at opposite ends of the facility where the vertical and horizontal jumps will be contested. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to them and all those involved in helping this long sought after dream become a reality.”

Tej Laliwala showing off his powerful serve.

BOYS’ TENNIS OPENING SHOTS!

  • Head Coach:  Joann Ochse
  • Assistant Coaches:  Roger Ochse, Mike Krents, Dan Fowler, and Katrina Bohnhorst
  • Seniors:   Damian Dziadowicz, John Seipp, Samuel Striz, and Joel Thompson
  • Returning Impact Players: 
    • (Jr.) Tej Laliwala:  First Singles, four-year starter.  2017 Colonial League All-Star.  2017 Top-Ten Lehigh Valley Live.
    • (Sr.) Joel Thompson:  Second Singles, four-year starter.  2017 Colonial League All-Star.
    • (So.) Michael Andres:  Third Singles, two-year starter.  2017 Colonial League All-Star.
    • (So.) Zach Appel:  First Doubles, two-year starter.  2017 Colonial League All-Star.
    • (Sr.) Damian Dziadowicz:  First Doubles, two-year starter.
    • (Sr.) John Seipp:  Second Doubles.
    • (Jr.) Keegan Maykut:  Second Doubles.
    • (Jr. ) Matt Wagner:  Second Doubles.
  • Coach Ochse’s Keys To Success:  “We don’t think it is out of our reach to win the Colonial League this season.  Many of our players have worked on their tennis over the off-season.  Several have competed on junior USTA teams.  With four returning starters from a very successful team (12-5).  We have a great shot at finishing first”.
  • Top Competition:  “Moravian Academy and Liberty”
  • Other Bits and Bites:  With early season victories over Bethlehem Catholic and Southern Lehigh, Coach Ochse’s Panthers are off to an impressive 2-0 start.

Panther senior Joel Thompson crushes a backhand down the line.

Saucon sophomore Michael Andres serving it up against Southern Lehigh.

Panther partners Zach Appel and Damian Dziadowicz celebrating a point scored against Southern Lehigh.

Junior Keegan Maykut (left) and senior John Seipp double-up to take on the Southern Lehigh Spartans.

Good luck Panthers, the Source is with you!

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Keith Riefenstahl

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