The Whitehall track team had their hands full when they traveled to the Poconos for a recent league meet.

Their second trip north in less than a week proved to be a challenge when they faced Easton and Stroudsburg in a tri-meet on April 12 at Stroudsburg High School. That’s because both teams are perennial powerhouses with a long history of excellence, and their ability to flood each event with talent proved to be too much for the Zephyrs this year, resulting in a sweep at the hands of the Red Rovers and the Mounties for both the boys and girls.

Head coach James Sebesta knew it was going to be a difficult task defeating either of the schools. While both the boys and the girls have had success against the Red Rovers the last few years, this season’s meet against Easton wasn’t the same story. In fact, both those schools are vying for the top spot in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference this season, and will most likely be in contention up to the end.

The Zephyr boys lost to Easton 98-52 and were defeated by Stroudsburg 108-42. The girls lost to the Red Rovers 76-74 and succumbed to the Mounties 78-72.

Sebesta said the girls were ferocious competitors that day, losing by a small margin to both those teams.

“We gave them a battle,” said Sebesta. “I was happy with the effort.

Sebesta knows those are quality programs and getting within a few points from defeating them showed just how tough the girls compete.

That begins in the sprints as Amanda Crooks won both the 100 and 200 meters. She broke the tape in 12.74 in the 100, and then topped the field with a 26.44 in the 200.

The high hurdles saw Alyssa Holland capture points, finishing second in 17.84, while in the intermediate hurdles, she finished third in 52.64.

Anna Gallina won the 400 meters, while Kassidy Cunningham came in third in the 800, finishing in 2:32.30.

The girls took second in all three relay races, with their best performance in those events coming in the 4x400 as Kassidy Cunningham, Kylee Cunningham, Jessica Kroboth and Alexandra Dorner finished in 4:19.10, just a shade away from Easton who finished in 4:18.90.

Once again, Ivanna Jones asserted herself in the jumps. She won the long jump (16-11.50) and the high jump (5-1).

Another multiple winner was Vanessa Hadeed. She has been close to dominant all year in league meets, and she was on point once again, winning the discus with an 87-03 toss, while taking first in the shot with a 33-08 mark.

Sebesta said that Logan Miller has emerged as someone who can find her way among the top three every time she grabs a javelin. It was that way in the ti-meet as she placed second with a 104-4 mark.

Also, Hayley Arner came in third in the javelin with a 100-01 mark, while Kylee Cunningham was third in the long jump with a 15-01.50 leap.

Sebesta said that both the Mounties and the Red Rovers were strong where they were strong, and that’s what ultimately led to the win.

The boys also had a number of first-place finishes. That group was once again led by Calvin Schneck who was tops in the 1600 with a 4:35.80 mark.

Sebesta said that Schneck defeated a good runner in Easton’s Kevin Lapsansky. He said that Schneck was able to gain some separation in the final stretch, securing the win.

“He outsprinted him down the straightaway,” said Sebesta.

Sebesta said that Schneck is competing in the 1600 and 800 this season, picking up points wherever needed.

“He wants to help everywhere,” said Sebesta. “That’s the kind of kid he is.”

Competing in the mile allows him to stretch out, and that can aid him in the shorter 800.

Also taking first was Tyler Meyers in the discus. He won the event with a 134-03 mark.

They also got a number if second places, beginning with the high hurdles as Jahrod Amoroso captured three points, finishing in 16.04. Teammate Zach Pantoni was third, also finishing in 16.04.

In the 300 meter hurdles, Charles Hudson finished third, crossing the line in 43.14.

In the field events, Javaughn Hussett was second in the high jump with a 6-1 mark, while Jackson Buskirk was second in the javelin with a 155-07 toss.

Hussett was also second in the long jump with a 20-02 mark, while Elliot Miller placed third in the pole vault, clearing the bar at 12-3.

Finally, Phil Reeves was third in the shot with a 41-10.50 toss.