The Emmaus boys track and field season could be described as a sprint, not an endurance race. The regular season lasts only eight weeks and little time is available for training. The Hornets’ successful 2022 regular season campaign - which ended last Tuesday - was the result of many factors.

“Discipline plays a big part, as track and field is a secondary sport, so we emphasize the importance of being committed for our team and our season,” Emmaus coach Kami Reinhard said. “The majority of our athletes haven’t missed a practice and take the sport seriously, which is a huge part of our success as a team.”

The final regular season meet ended with a 52-98 loss to rival Parkland. The disappointing setback did feature a superlative performance by Aiden Hurlburt, who increased his pole vault school record by eight inches when he cleared 15 feet.

Other Hornet winners included Blaise Verrastro, who claimed the 400 meters, and Oscar Felegy, who was tops in the 1,600-meter run. Lucian Freeman reigned supreme in the high jump, and Kyle Moore won the long and triple jumps.

Emmaus is now focused on the postseason Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 Class 3A tournaments. The preparation began the day after the Parkland loss.

“They are all super excited and ready to focus more on individual events and where each can most improve in postseason,” Reinhard said. “COVID remains a threat, along with many other factors out of our control, so we hope we can stay clear of those factors in these last few weeks.”

The Hornet coaching staff is also anticipating the postseason.

“Collectively as a coaching staff, we are ready to battle ahead in one of the most competitive league and district meets we’ve seen in a number of years, and we wouldn’t want it any other way,” Reinhard said.

The EPC meet is scheduled for May 10 and 11 at Whitehall’s Zephyr Sports Complex.