With dynamic athletes up and down their roster, it looks to be another strong season for the Whitehall boys track and field team.

After coming off a season in which they went 8-2, finishing among the top five in the standings of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, the Zephs will look to regain some of that success that made last year one of the best under head coach James Sebesta.

However, they’ll be young in some areas this year, and that may reflect in the standings. But Sebesta isn’t worried about that as they prepare for the upcoming season. He’s been able to guide the boys to winning seasons throughout his career and this year will try and mold another group of young athletes, with this year’s number at 69.

Last year’s strength was in the distance races, while this season it looks to be leaning more to the jumps, said Sebesta.

“Right now it’s the jumping events,” said Sebesta. “We’re young but we have a lot of good jumpers. That should be pretty decent for us this year.”

The boys will feature senior Calvin Schneck who was busy this winter prepping for the outdoor season. He’s already won some of his 800 races this winter, and he has one goal in mind after missing last year’s PIAA Championships. He’s looking to get his ticket punched to states this season.

Sebesta said that’s been his focus as he’ll run a wide range of races this season, from the 400 all the way to the 3,200. However, Sebesta said that once they get into the postseason, it’s very difficult to run multiple races so they’ll probably concentrate on just one or two.

“We’re trying to cut him back this year,” said Sebesta.

Schneck also ran the 4x800, and went to states in 2014 as part of that team.

He leads a strong senior cast that will form the foundation of this year’s team.

Senior Elliot Miller will be another returner who will be valuable in the middle distances and the pole vault. He’s been a valuable member in both areas, and this year will be the same.

In the sprints, senior Carey Okoth will showcase his ability in the 100, while fellow seniors Brandon Jones and Javaughan Hussett will contribute as well. Both Hussett and Jones will add jumping to their list of events this year to help the Zephs,

Jahrod Amoroso, a senior, will be returning in the hurdles, giving the Zephs a veteran in those events. He’s one of the team captains and his experience will help guide the young team.

Senior Nick Kovalchick will be running the 400, another upperclassman who is expected to help provide a spark in the middle distances.

David Labib is returning in the middle distances as well. The senior is experienced in those races and will be a valuable asset in the 400, 800 and 4x800 relay.

The senior class also has some throwers to help in the field events. This years seniors Darius Mensah, Phil Reeves, Shane Gibbs and Jesse Werkheiser will give the Zephs a boost in those disciplines.

“They should all help us down there,” said Sebesta.

Additional seniors who will contribute include Samuel Abraham, Anthony Corado, Matthew Kelly, Ivan Kok, Corey Le, Justin Maicks, Subham Patel, Nicholas Rackus, Tierre Robinson, Anthony Russo, Andrew Sanchinelli and Colin Stavropoulos.

The Zephs will also receive a good lift in the middle distances from Andrew Hawk, another veteran who will run the 400, 800 and 4x800 this season.

Junior Jackson Buskirk will be involved in both the javelin and the jumps this season, while Tavion George and Devin Castro will be contributing in the jumps.

Gavin Wood will pole vault again this season, giving the Zephs a strong one-two punch in that event, while fellow junior Zach Pantoni will compete in the hurdles and the 4x100 relay.

Charles Hudson will be another newcomer this year and is expected to provide some spark in the jumps and hurdles.

Jacob Snyder will give the Zephs more depth in the throws, while Samuel Rapport will be legging it out in the distance races, and Phil Reeves will be throwing this season.

Junior Ryan Kalugh will be another athlete who can gives the Zephs some oomph in the hurdles and long jump.

Other junior class members who should provide some spark include Adrian Anatolio, Brian Bolivar, Angel Falcon Amadou Fall, Tavion, Bailey Luckenbill, Fadi Mallouhi, Tyler Meyers and Brian Shattah.

Jerome Wah, a sophomore, will be racing in the 400 this season, along will fellow soph Zahir Linton. Des Boykin will be another sophomore looking to make a splash in the sprints, including the 4x100 relay. He’ll jump as well this season.

Michael Bogucki will give the Zephs some depth in the throws, while Martin Labib will be another middle distance runner looking to break from the pack.

More sophomores expected to have a role include Mahmoud Ajlouni, Muhammad Azim, Jovany Belman, Miles Blumenau, Gino Ciriello, Darwin Cofield, Mark Colusso, Nathaniel Dolan, Josua Eugene, Cameryn Evans and Jhodari Reid.

The newcomers from the freshman ranks will also get some notice. Sebesta sees a role for Mekhi Lee and Shavar Hussett in the middle distances, while Caleb Staub and Daniel Jablonski will take to the track in the distance races.

Other freshman who will look to add some depth include Robert Furlong, Esmael Maalej, Wilson Torres and Jacob Zeiner.

Sebesta said it’s a compressed season and they’ll be looking to make improvements from meet to meet. That will be the main goal this season.

“We need to get these kids some seasoning,” said Sebesta. “We have to get them in comfortable spots where they can compete.”

He said that as soon as they see results and start having success, they’ll buy into it.”