The outlook for the Whitehall boys track and field season relies heavily on a talented group of throwers who medaled last season in the postseason.

With seniors Tyler Meyers (discus) and Jackson Buskirk (javelin) returning, the Zephyrs have a solid foundation on which to build as they prepare for the upcoming season. Meyers qualified for the PIAA Track and Field Championships last year, while Buskirk took third in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Championships, a remarkable feat for someone who was new to the sport.

Additionally, senior Roy Reeves gives them another strong veteran in the shot put. Reeves set a personal best in the shot put at the EPC Championships, with a 44-10.25 toss. That throw landed him in 6th place.

Add to that mix senior Jacob Snyder (javelin, discus), as well as newcomer Julio Diaz (shot put), and the Zephs will have a formidable group of throwers who will be tough to beat throughout the season.

While the throws are a source of strength this season for the boys, head coach James Sebesta said that youth will once gain dominate the track and field landscape as it does for the girls.

They boys will feature 66 student-athletes this season and that group will be looking to continue a winning trend that has come to define the program the last few seasons. Sebesta said that the boys will also experience some challenges this year, but if they apply that same principle of progression, they’ll be all right.

“That’s what we want to see, and that’s continue to improve throughout the season,” said Sebesta.

The sprinters will have a strong competitor in junior Dez Boykin. Boykin will run the 100, 4x100, and jump as well. Sebesta will be counting on the EPC’s top receiver to give them a boost in the sprints this year.

Also sprinting will be junior Martin Labib. Labib will be another busy athlete this season. Labib will run the 100, 200, and pole vault this year. Senior Ryan Klaugh will be another veteran who will be featured in the sprints as well as the jumps. Klaugh will run in the 4x100 relay and high jump as well. Senior Tavion George is another experienced sprinter who should provide the Zephs with some power in the sprints as well as jumps.

In the hurdles, freshmen Christian Hudson and Allen Negrete will look to make some noise in both the long and intermediate races. They’ll also compete in the jumps, giving the Zephs death in those three events.

The middle distances will be ably manned by junior Jerome Wah (400) who has experience on the oval, while junior Zahir Linton will also compete in the 200 and 400.

Senior Andrew Hawk will once again run the 800. Hawk has been a fixture in that middle distances his entire career, and he’s someone who Sebesta is counting on to provide leadership this season.

The long distances will be an area that will feature a lot of younger athletes, but they’ll be led by sophomore Caleb Staub who made his mark last year in the 3,200 and the 4x800. He’ll be counted on again to give them a boost in those races.

The jumps are another area of strength as George, Boykin, Klaugh, Hudson and Negrete will look to place among the top three throughout the year. The jumps will also feature senior Angel Falcon who will compete in both the high and triple jumps.

“He’ll really help us there,” said Sebesta.

The pole vault has another strong cast with senior Gavin Wood among the league’s best in that event. Wood had a strong indoor season and he’ll be someone who can rack up points every time he steps onto the track. Wood will lead a strong group that includes senior Jordan Rivera and Labib.

Sebesta said that boys will be young in a lot of events, but he sees their success determined by how well they improve along the way.

“We’re young, that’s what we are this season,” said Sebesta. “I just want them to compete and improve.”

Seniors who will help this year include Kevon Allen, Adrian Anatalio, Carson Bell, Devin Castro, Joshua Creasman, Eric Johnson, Fadid Mallouhi, Michael James Miller, Samuel Rappaport, Alec Sodl, Henri Toussaint and Kevin Vuong.

Juniors who will contribute include Muhammad Azim, Miles Blumenau, Michael Bogucki, Darwin Coifed, Mark Colusso, Joseph Hana, Chyanne Hetrzog, Jeremiah Kanneh, Jeremy Onsinyo, Andrew Peralta and Jhodari Reid.

Additional sophomores looking to make an impact are Na’mirr Boatwright, Omar Hadeed, Jacob Heffner, Shaver Hussett, Mekhi Lee, Chris Perez, Luke Rex, Ronald Roman-Carrasco, Artur Santos, Shane Urato and Fady Wahba.

Freshman looking to deliver include Giovanni Amato, Izak Bright, Andy Chung, Sean Cunningham, Braeden Flannery, Jacob Gladish, Ahmed Hamada, Marcus Hamscher, Wilfred Jimenez, Logan Love, James Reinhard, Javal Reyes, Graydon Schmeckenbecher, Sabastian Solarte-Vigil, Lucas Souders and Kresstoph Whittick.