The track and field season is just about at the starting blocks, and the Whitehall boys look to race toward another successful season.

Last season the boys finished 6-3, tied with Emmaus High School for fourth in the Lehigh Valley Conference.

They'll have a lot to overcome heading into 2014, losing a number of athletes to graduation, especially in the field events.

Still, they have abundant talent in this year's crop of athletes. Head coach Jim Sebesta is reassured by a strong group of seniors who will give them an opportunity for points every time they step onto the oval, but they also have a slew of underclassman who are new to varsity competition.

"I think we're going to be strong in some events, but right now it's really unknown," said Sebesta.

Part of that unknown is their inability to access their facility with the snow a major obstacle as it's been with almost all of the spring sports. He said they finally were able to get the hurdles in place on Tuesday, a short time period for preparation since their first meet is March 24.

While that has been a hardship, the leadership of both Kayleem Harrison and J.C. Flacon will help mitigate a tough beginning to the 2014 season. Sebesta said that the two seniors set the tone and will be solid pillars on which the underclassman can lean.

Harrison is a multiple threat, participating in the sprints, jumps (long and triple), as well as the high hurdles. He had a strong indoor season and is now primed to make his mark outdoors.

"He's a captain and he's a great leader," said Sebesta.

Falcon was part of their record-setting 4x800 team that went to the PIAA Championships (the others included Brian Plucinsky, Michael Eible and Michael Leonhardt), as well as a force in the high jump and middle distances.

Sebesta said that Falcon will have a heavy load, but his ability and determination will be the difference.

"I expect good things from him in the high jump if we keep him fresh," said Sebesta.

The Zephs also have veteran Plucinsky in the distance races, a strong contender every time he gets into the blocks. He will also compete in the 800 as well as the relays. Additionally, Eible is another solid runner who will make his presence felt in the middle distances. These two seniors, along with Falcon, form 3/4 of the team that made it to states, and now the task is to find a compliment to get them back to Shippensburg. Of the 73 boys who currently make up the track team, no clear candidate is ready to step into that position, said Sebesta. Still, he believes that the relay team will have another strong year.

While Eible has been hampered by injuries, junior Gabe Lamm and sophomore Calvin Schneck return to bolster the distance races for the Zephs. Lamm is coming off an outstanding indoor season, and Schneck had a major impact last season for the Zephs. Those two have the ability to capture firsts every meet.

"They're going to help us a lot," said Sebesta.

The Zephs also return middle distance runners Kurt Koehler, a senior, as well as sophomore David Labib.

The sprints will also feature returning senior Daniel El-Hajj who placed a number of times last season, but battled injuries throughout the year. Additionally, senior Isaiah Cary returns and will be another valuable asset to their 2014 success. Cary had a good indoor season and he will multitasking outdoors, competing in the long and triple jumps as well as the 400 meters.

In the field events, the Zephs have a strong thrower in senior Nick Nejad who will now add the discus to his solid showing in the javelin last year. Sebesta feels that Nejad's steady progress in the javelin may lead to an extended season and perhaps a trip to Ship.

"I'd like to see him make the state meet this year," said Sebesta.

Joining Nejad in the throwing events will be senior Jeff Cordon and Jake Kerchner. Sebesta said that trio will also provide strong leadership.

The pole vaulters include junior Zachary Hixson who returns with a season under his belt, as well as fellow junior Travis Coleman. Sebesta said that Hixson will also split time between sprinting and throwing, a versatile athlete who can be plugged into a lot of events.

Some newcomers include sprinters Charles Mikhail and junior Ronny Okungu. Sebesta said that Mikhail is a transfer who should help them in a number of areas, including the 4x100 relay.

Sophomore Elliot Miller will be someone to keep an eye on in the middle distances and the pole vault, while junior Jarred Mittl will help the Zephs in the sprints.

Right now Sebesta said the team is trying to find where everyone fits. While he has some established athletes, he has a bounty of youngsters learning the sport.

"We're mixing and matching trying to find where kids belong," said Sebesta.

The boys have a number of athletes capable of making the journey to Shippensburg, and Sebesta feels that he may need to reserve a few rooms this season.

Additionally, the boys will be bolstered by seniors Logan Comstock, Somar Hanna, Scott Howett, Joseph Scherer and Luke Szewczak.

Juniors who will contribute include Anthony Dex, Michael Farber, Mason Fisher, Julio Giraldo, Nicholas Guerra, Brian Heckman, Benjamin Helman, Louis Howard, Charles Mensah, Matthew Meyers, Shivendra Singh and Austin Young.

Sophomores ready to hit the ground running are Samuel Abraham, Alexis Anatalio, Domonic Brown-Andriulli, Michale DePree, Jordan Fallen, Felix Figueroa, Javaughn Hussett, Nicholas Kovalchick, Jack Pastir, Andrew Sassaman and Aaron Sierra.

Freshman who will be ready to leap include Adrian Anatalio, Cameron Bastian, Brian Bolivar, Devin Castro, Nicholas Dex, Noah Dreisbach, Matthew Eible, Angel Falcon, Amadou Fall, Kasai Harrison, Alexander Hatch, Andrew Hawk, Thomas Herbine, Eric Johnson, Tyler Meyers, Zachary Pantoni, Roy Reeves and Gavin Wood.

They'll now look to get under way on March 24 as they face Emmaus High School in a league meet.