There's a new face at the helm of the track program at Southmoreland High School.
But the name is familiar, the rest of the staff is quite familiar and the goals of the program remain the same.
Dave Keefer is the new Southmoreland High School track coach, but he is no stranger to the program. Keefer, a social studies teacher and an academic team leader at the high school, has been involved with the Southmoreland track program in a number of capacities for years.
“I've been coaching track for 21 years,” Keefer said during a recent practice. “I coached junior high for a couple of years than moved up to the varsity. I'm very familiar with Southmoreland track. It's something I enjoy doing.”
Chuck Brittain and Zach Cavalier return to the coaching staff and will be joined on the varsity level by Josh Pajak, who was with Keefer at the junior high level. Brian Pritts and Gene Spadaro will coach the junior high squads.
“It helps a lot,” Keefer said about having this veteran coaching staff. “Everybody knows what they're doing. ”
Southmoreland is coming off of a successful track campaign that saw the girls squad qualify for the WPIAL team playoffs with a 12-0 record
“We're going to be very young this year,” Keefer said. “ We have approximately 35 kids out and the biggest contribution as far as numbers is the freshman class.”
Some key members of this year's team include the 3200 relay quartet of sophomores Vayda Farino and Riley Beistel and seniors Paige Weaver and Hannah Porter, who qualified for the PIAA meet last year.
“We're returning a lot of key components from a decent team last year,” Keefer said.
Others who will be counted on this season include: Abby Opts and Sarah Opts in the high jump and junior Taylor Sipos, who is pegged for the long jump and triple jump.
Farino can be expected to run the 400, 800 and 3200, Weaver will run in the 400 (which Keefer calls her strongest event) and Porter has been designated for sprints. Sophomore Ben Bickerton will be among the runners to watch on the boys side, handling distance events.
Other boys contributors will include sophomore Glenn Robaugh in jumping events and the javelin, Devin Jacobs in throwing events, sophomore Brenden Hernley in the pole vault and senior Kyle Cohen in sprints and the javelin.
“He gives a lot leadership,” Keefer said of Cohen. “He leads by example.”
Southmoreland will participate in Section 4-AA, where Keefer expects Trinity Christian to mount the toughest competition.
Keefer's goals for the season are pretty simple.
“Win the section, make the playoffs and make a run in the play-offs,” Keefer said accentuating he hoped to see boys and girls have a long postseason run. “We have a culture of winning here, and we want to continue that.”
Paul Paterra is a staff editor for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-887-6101 or ppaterra@tribweb.com.
