As the winter season has come to a close, the spring season has started in full swing and spring coaches as well as athletes are all excited.

Coach Urbanski of the Golf Team is excited to see what his team brings. “The golf team is returning 5 starters from last year’s 10-8 season,” Urbanski stated. This year Urbanski is excited to coach sophomore, Tyler Galantini who, “averaged a score of 39 for 9 holes which was a low score on the team.” Urbanski looks forward to seeing what the rest of the golf team has in store for the season as well.

Along with the golf team, Sushi Kaplan, one of the student-leaders on the tennis team also looks forward to a strong tennis season. Sushi looks forward especially to watching Karan Belday who he expects, “great things from.” Led by Coach Maz, Sushi hopes to get over .500 this season while also having a good time.

Lacrosse Coach Tourian is hoping to continue on the success from last year’s lacrosse team. Although the team graduated several important players, Tourian said many key starters still remain on the team. Tourian especially looks forward playing Andrew diPalma again, one of the leading point scorers from their 2016 season and winner of Honorable Mention All-State honors. Tourian also has high expectations for Isaac Arowosaye who is “particularly important to [them] on face-offs.” Although Alan Benson was out for a majority of the 2016 season due to injury, Tourian hopes to see his improved performance in the upcoming season. Tourian also says to keep an eye on defenders, EJ Akerblom and Okeefe Virgo.

The track and field team is also looking forward to an excellent spring season. Although the boys team lost over 15 seniors from the 2016 championship team, head boys track Coach Picataggio is expecting another successful season. The Boys team this season is led by the Junior Sprinter, Jumper and Hurdler Elijah McLaren. Coach Pic is also looking forward to seeing what Freshman, Jefferson Cajuste has in store. The boys distance team is lead by Junior, Ebizie Anuamadi, Seniors Liam Cunningham and Derek Lim as well as Junior David Robinson. Pic mentioned that the 4 boys have also achieved their goal of qualifying for the Penn Relays for the boy’s 4 by 800 meter relay for the first time in WOHS history which is hopefully a good sign for the upcoming season. Although the boys sprint team is relatively inexperienced Pic stated, “What they lack in experience will be made up for in hard work and determination.” In addition to the boys sprint team, the boys field events led by Gabriel Andrade, Steven Nelson, Thomas Hughes and Jesus Rosas could potentially place in the county and state sectional meets, Coach Pic thinks they might even break some school records. While the vaulters this track season are new, Pic stated, “Their youth may show this year but they are capable of being one of the best group of Vaulters in school history.”

For the Girls track and Field team this year newly appointed girls head coach is looking forward to an excellent season. The girls team is a predominantly young team consisting of 60 members with only 3 seniors. However, the seniors consist of standout athlete and defending conference champion hurdler, Bukola Akinsola as well as four year veteran sprinter/jumper Kristina Boafo and a new senior to join the team Riana Williams. Coach Blake stated, “I am so excited about the progress the team has made and all that they are able to accomplish. They are focused and determined. Good things shall come this season.”

Let’s hope our Mountaineer athletes make us proud this spring season!