The Whitehall High School boys track and field team will be looking to put a little distance between themselves and the competition this year.

Heading into the 2015 campaign, their strength lies in the distance races as they return a number of runners from last year's team that finished 6-3. That group helped the Zephs stay in contention for a league title until the last week of the season.

This year they'll be looking to get a lot of mileage from seniors Gabe Lamm, and Andrew Frisch, as well as junior Calvin Schneck and sophomore Andrew Hawk. Both Frisch and Schneck were members of last year's record-setting 4x800 team that went to states, as did Lamm who made it to Shippensburg in the 3,200 meters, while Hawk is emerging as another versatile runner who can help in both the distance and middle distance races.

That group will serve as the bellwether of a team that's looking to make its mark this season in the newly constituted Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Head coach James Sebesta said that no one works harder than that group. He said their work ethic is underscored by their leadership, showing the underclassman how to prepare for each meet.

"They really push each other," said Sebesta. "They always want to do more."

Lamm will once again run the mile and two mile, as well as the 4x800 this year. Schneck will also compete in the mile, as well as the 800 meters and the 4x800.

Sebesta said that Schneck is a tireless worker who came off a good indoor season, as did Lamm, the latter finishing second in the mile at Lebanon Valley High School Invitational on Jan. 10.

Sebesta said that Frisch will concentrate mainly on the middle distances this season as well as the relays.

"He's just so consistent," said Sebesta. "He's another kid who works hard."

Hawk will be splitting his time between the middle distance and distance races, giving the Zephs another strong contender in those events. He's also in the mix for their relay squads as well.

Junior Elliot Miller will also be splitting time between events this season, participating in the pole vault and the middle distances. Miller is someone to watch in the pole vault, having already cleared 12 feet indoors this season.

The Zephs also return junior David Labib who will once again be among a strong group of middle distance runners, a runner who works hard every day, said Sebesta.

The Zephs will also feature sophomore Jahrod Amoroso in the middle distances as well as Carey Rollins who will also see time in the hurdles. Additionally, sophomore Adrain Anatalio is another Zeph who will contribute in the 400 and 800 meters.

While the sprints may feature the most in terms of numbers, the group is relatively young in overall experience. Returning are seniors Ronnie Okungu and Mikhail Mejia-Charles. This pair will anchor a team that also features seniors Zachary Hixson and Mustafa Mitchell, another talented tandem that will provide an opportunity for points in the sprints.

Senior Saquon Barkley will also be running sprints this season. Sebesta said that Barkley's determined to participate in seven events. Along with the sprints, he'll also throw and jump.

"He works really hard," said Sebesta. "He's happy to do anything to help the team."

Newcomers in maroon and gold who will also be dashing down the track include sophomore Kori Zacarias and junior Nick Kovalchick.

Sebesta said that the hurdles are where their inexperience is the greatest. They'll look to senior Julio Giraldo to contribute, as well as sophomore Zachary Pantoni. Additionally, Rollins, Amoroso and sophomore Angel Falcon will feature in that mix, providing depth.

Conversely, the pole vault is an area where they have a lot of experience as Miller has established himself among the league leaders in that event. Joining the senior will be sophomores Gavin Wood and Jackson Buskirk.

Jumping for the boys will be a number of experienced athletes, including junior Sam Abraham, and seniors Benjamin Helman and Shivendra Singh. Each one of those Zephs has three years or more varsity experience, providing a solid foundation this year. They'll be ably aided by Barkley and Hixson who will give the Zephs a potent combination in the jumps. Additionally, Falcon will be another newcomer who will be counted on to contribute in the jumps.

The throws features a mix of establish vets and newcomers. Returning is senior Anthony Dex in the shot put. Another vet is senior Nick Hassler. Hassler's been on college radars as a javelin thrower, and he'll provide the Zephs with a legitimate candidate to reach states in that event.

Sebesta said that Hassler has thrown 177-1 and that he's someone who wants to improve at every turn.

"He's hoping to get better," said Sebesta.

Senior Travis Coleman is another vet who'll be tossing the javelin this year, while newcomers Jacob Buskirk, Barkley and Pablo Peralta will give the Zephs some added oomph in the throws as well.

The Zephs will also rely on a strong senior class to contribute this season. That group includes Thomas Baker, Mason Fisher, Anthony Fragnito, Nicholas Guerra, Brain Heckman, Louis Howard, Derek Mattison, Charles Mensah, Denny Minaya, Brett Radocha, Chad Rex, Elijah Sommer, Conor Sullivan and Nathan Wechlsler.

Juniors ready to launch include Franklin Garcia-Nunez, Javaughn Hussett, Matthew Kelly, Alec Kulp, Jack Pastir, Shubham Patel, Nicholas Rackus and Andrew Sassaman.

Sophomore looking to make their mark include Cameron Bastian, Brian Bolivar, Devin Castro, Amadou Fall, Thomas Herbine, Shawn Jacob, Tyler Meyers, Samuel Rappaport and Jacob Snyder.

Freshman looking to fly include Darwin Cofield, Martin Labib, Jhodari Reid, Tyler Ringenberger and Jerome Wah.

Sebesta said that it's not a deep team, but they'll be looking at a strong nucleus "to pull them through." That nucleus will also be counted on to lead by example and pull the young kids along as they look to make another run at a league title this season.

"This group of kids just works hard," said Sebesta. "They've learned from the kids in the past and now they're doing it."