Spring Track & Field Preview: Loaded with Athletes

Year 2 of Harvey’s spring track and field program looks promising with returning athletes who looked good and made great strides last spring and newcomers whose strong athletic abilities should serve them well in competing in their new sport.   

Head coach Christian Coscio, along with assistants Alison Nokes and Alex Shen, will guide a team that competes against other schools from three leagues, the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), and the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA).

“I think we will have strong field event athletes,” said Coach Coscio in looking at what might be in store for the team this spring. “With strong returners plus many newcomers willing to try a variety of events, that combination will help us succeed,” he said, adding, “We have athletes in all sorts of different events who could be strong contributors.”

Considering the returning boys, Coach Coscio expects senior Luke Roberts to find success as he did in winter season jump events. “Luke’s a strong 3-jump athlete who should place well in competition this spring,” Coach Coscio said.

Also expected to compete among the boys in jumps is team newcomer senior Sukie Vongveeranonchai, who will also run sprints. “Sukie’s a great athlete with an excellent attitude and someone who’s excited to try new events,” Coach Coscio said.

The coaches are counting on senior Bennet Katzin in distance events. Coach Coscio calls Katzin “a natural leader of the program and a strong distance runner, too.”

The girls’ side of the track and field team should find success as well, according to Coach Coscio. “I think the girls’ team has a solid diversification with athletes in all sorts of different events that could be strong contributors,” the coach said.

Leading the girls could be sophomore Addy Shalov who is Harvey’s best chance in mid-distance events. “Addy’s a tenacious runner who will compete in any event from the 800m up,” Coach Coscio said. Ninth grader Mollie Weisberger shows promise in sprints and jumps. “Mollie’s an up-and-coming athlete who will have more time to practice her events and develop,” the coach said.

In the shotput and discuss events, ninth grader Skye Watson has shown great progress in the shot put and her coach expects her to compete with the other top throwers in the league. Junior McKensi Forde and sophomore Shae Falconer are two strong athletes who should find success in the throws.

When Coach Coscio considers which schools pose the toughest challenge, for the boys, it’s Brunswick, the defending FAA champions. For the girls, two schools who should be tough in competitions are Sacred Heart Academy, the defending champion and Greenwich Academy, last year’s second place team.

Coach Coscio can’t say how things will work out as the season goes along, but he’s sure of one thing – “We’re a growing program that has a lot of talented athletes this season.” He said the coaches are looking forward to the continued development of the team and are “especially excited for the willingness of athletes to try field events.” He said, “This is where we can find some success and allow the athleticism of our team to shine through.”

The team’s first official league competition is the Masters Relays April 1 in Dobbs Ferry.