GI boys track set to go the distance

by Eric Keppeler
Grand Island Dispatch, April 20, 2007

The Grand Island boys track and field team will reap the benefits of a strong cross country program, giving the Vikings exceptional depth and skill in the distance races as the 2007 season kicks off.

Grand Island posted an amazing turnaround last season, going from 4-5 in 2005 to 11-3 last season. The Vikings finished tied for second in the Niagara Frontier League with North Tonawanda, behind only Kenmore East.

Veteran coach Don Sauer says that North Tonawanda will be the team to beat this year in the NFL, but he’s still looking for improvement from his Vikings. And he knows that his distance runners are key to the team’s success.

“We’re pretty young, but we’re very strong in some areas, especially distance,” Sauer said. “We’re very deep in that area, and I think we’ll be able to put together some formidable relays.”

Leading the way is senior Tim Fargino, who is coming off of his second straight trip to the state championship in the indoor track season. He also wound up 10th overall at the Section VI cross country Championship in the fall. Sauer says he’ll use Fargino mainly in the 400 and 800, as well as in the relays.

Sophomore Evan Tsembelis will run the 1600-meter and 3200m, and likely will be a mainstay on the relay teams. Tsembelist was the top Viking finisher at the cross country sectionals, winding up in ninth place.

Juniors Chris Carter and Ryan Hagen also were strong cross country runners, and Sauer is happy to use them again for the track season. Carter will run in the 1600, 3200 and on relays, while Hagen can go in the 800, 1600, 3200 and the steeplechase, as well as the relays.

“We really do have some great depth in the distance races,” Sauer said.

Sauer has Jordan Gibson returning for the shorter relays and the hurdles, while freshmen Joe Connors and Jared Northrup also will run hurdles. Ben Angelo and Adam Helman also are back in the pole vault.

The Vikings are solid in he jumps with seniors Mike Asbach and Erik Billica each performing the long jump, high jump and triple jump. Angelo also gives them a boost in the high jump.

In the other field events, sophomore Greg Feathers will throw the shot put and the discus, while Tim Boorady and Nick Tomkins also will handle the shot.

The biggest question mark is in the sprints, where Sauer will have to look exclusively to youngsters. Right now, Mike Scappechio and Matt Krupczyk are penciled in as the top sprinters.

Sauer figures his team might have a leg up on some of the competition, since many of these athletes ran during the winter as part of the Grand Island indoor track team.

“Running indoor track was very helpful,” Sauer said. “We were able to work with the kids straight through the year on their technique, and they just stayed in running shape. It was four months of bonus strength and weight training.”