Winter track: North Jersey boys team-by-team previews for 2022-23 season
Take a team-by-team look at the boys winter track teams from the Big North Conference and North Jersey Interscholastic Conference.
Legend: S: Sprints; J: Jumps; H: Hurdles; LS: Long Sprints; D: Distance; MD: Mid-Distance; SP: Shot put; PV: Pole vault.
Big North
AMERICAN DIVISION
Cliffside Park has a new head coach in former Hasbrouck Heights star Marissa Romano and she hopes to use the talents of senior Andres Gomez (S) and juniors Chris Catalan (D), Darwin Ruiz (D) and Skyler Saric (H/J/S) to build the young squad.
Dumont picks up some spring track performers in seniors Jake Angco (S/J), Brandon Barretto (MD/D), juniors Colin Graham (MD/D), Danny Lu (MD/D) and James Ntiamoah (S/J). Junior Kelvin Sesay (S) also returns along with several good freshmen. The Huskies want to build a strong 4-x-800 relay.
Nicole Picciani takes over as the head coach at Fort Lee in a rebuilding year but the Bridgemen still hope to contend in the division behind senior Ekuyami Conteh (D) and juniors Arsham Bayrami (SP) and Chris Chun (S). Newcomers, sophs Demetri Vonderlinden (SP) and Ron Loposky (S) and freshman John Walsh (D) should contribute early.
Ridgefield Park should be in the mix for the league title led by seniors Jeremy Chocoj (J), Murtaza Syed (MD) and Eric Ocampo (LS/MD) and juniors Marco Feliciano (S) and Amaury Reyes (MD) and adds senior Kashawn Wallace and junior Eliot Ramos to add to its competitiveness.
FREEDOM DIVISION
Hackensack makes one of the state's strongest leagues ever better with its best team in several years. Seniors Moses Barrera (D), Giovanni Blake (J), Jake Borchard (SP), Victor Deoleo (S), Joshua Juca (D), Jonathan Juca (D), Anthony Morillo (SP), Logan Natale (S), Luis Ortiz (D), Gene Petrella (SP) and Maximus Solomon (H/J) provide a veteran core.
Northern Highlands won the school's first winter sectional title last year and with seniors Mike Braun (S), Gabe Johnson (D), Ian Kearney (PV), Zach Madison (J) and Jackson Vogel (D) returning, hope to make a run at a second one. There are lots of underclassmen who should help the Highlanders take another shot.
In another division the Paramus core group of seniors Bryce Teto (D) and Niko Kostopoulos (S) and juniors Ryan Fernandes (S) and Arash Ahmadi (J) might contend for a title.
Ramapo has some dependable performers back, including seniors Tommy DiVincent (MD) and James Cindrario (S), juniors Ryan Welch (D) and Mike Samarro (S) and soph Jack Kinney (J).
Ridgewood is contention for league, Bergen County Relays and state sectional group 4 honors every year it seems. With a core like seniors Matt Aono (PV/H), Lucas Barrales (S), Carlos Bermudez (SP), Dexter DeMarco (H/J), Red Kossick (H/J), Racine Ly (S) and Alex Shevchenko (J) and junior DJ Murphy (D) this year's version will be no exception. It'll be exciting to see how quickly the soph distance group builds on its cross-country success.
INDEPENDENCE DIVISION
Fair Lawn has a new head coach in Gina Vantuno and returns Chase Amin, Jacob Babitsky, and Alex Michelman.
Lakeland figures to stay in contention in league, Passaic County and group 2 sectional meets this season. Returnees like Kyle Keyes (S/J/H), all-state cross-country star Owen Horevay (D), all-Passaic cross-country standout Nathan Caldwell (D), Tyler Gillman (H/S), Robert Hoogmoed (SP), Brody McCormack (SP), Liam McGinty (MD/S) and TJ Cook (MD) will make sure of that.
Passaic Valley has a new head coach in Eric Getz and has had a nice run of success recently with Getz on staff. The Hornets will return seniors Dev Patel (S), Nate Stone (H/MD) and Giancarlo Peluso (SP) and juniors Tavi Victoria (H/S), Kayden Rodriguez (S), Brian Pizzaro (J), Nick Ragueso (MD), Basell Dahhan (MD) and Rajan Rana (SP) and should remain competitive.
Wayne Hills returns senior thrower Andrew Sabeh but its team is based around a good junior class that includes Jon Novembre (MD), Logan Ntansah (S/H/J), Ryan Sabeti (S) and Abdulai St. Paul (S/J).
Wayne Valley should contend for league and Passaic County honors behind a sterling senior cadre of Christian Mercado(S/J), Winston Calvo (SP), Aryan Patel (J), Allan Karwowski (S), Sal Gencarelli (D) and Matt Saeger (SP). Trey Casey (J/S) and Aidan Magno (S/D) will provide depth. But the big addition is senior Sean Matthews, an all-North Jersey selection in cross-country, out in the winter for the first time.
LIBERTY DIVISION
Bergen Tech should be a contender for the division title led by Bergen County cross-country champion and State Meet of Champions 800 medalist Dylan Decambre (MD). Seniors Piotr Lesnicki (S), Michael Brown (S), Sebastian Toro (D) and Jake Golden (J/S) and junior Anthony Senatore (H) add talent and there are some very promising newcomers.
Clifton has a solid group of returnees in what could be a very deep division. Look for seniors Christian Grant (S), Ben Nelken (S), Hisham Ettayebi (D) and Nazareth Aquino (SP) and promising sophs Lamarr Olive (D) and Romelo Tables (H). Look for some surprises in the Mustang lineup.
Kennedy has a very young team and returnees seniors Thomas Martin (D), Desean Curry (S/SP) and Stiven Ramirez (SP) and junior Ahmed Ahmed (S).
Passaic Tech got a late start because head coach Jeff Cioletti was part of the football staff that reached the state Group 5 final but returnees Johan Contreras, Raynier Galvez, Josh Sparkes, David Aguilar and Kenneth Relovsky should be contenders in league and county competition.
NATIONAL DIVISION
Bergenfield almost stole the North 1 group 3 state sectional last winter and with talented performers returning like seniors Johannes Rivera (MD), Xavier Hayletts (S/H) and Aiden Jones (SP) and juniors Julian Batista (D), aaron Cruz (S/J), Marcus Knowles (S/J) and Xavier Velez (S) the Bears might be just as good this year.
Demarest should contend in every meet they're in. The Norsemen return potential champions in Ohan Ambartsoumian (SP) who is headed for Northeastern, Chris Short (S/H), and Andrew Tandler (H/S/J) who is headed to Bucknell. Others to watch are soph Liam Campbell Paneque (J/H), Matt Sands (PV/MD), Jack attali (J/H), Pat Cagney (SP), Matt Ha (PV), Ethan Kalajian (D), Seth Kaufman (S/H), Quinn Postman (LS), Matt Ruocco (J), Harrison White (MD/J) and David and Jordan Wright (J).
Old Tappan should contend for league and sectional titles with a very good senior class led by Matt Malora (D), Nathan Park (PV/J), Caleb Park (PV/J), Tyler DeMarco (PV/J) and Edmond Sullivan (MD) and an excellent junior class of Goran Saric (multi-events), Tristan Trinidad (D), Dennis Delaney (SP), Jack Small (SP) and Aidan Carney (MD).
Pascack Valley looks to build on a terrific cross-country season led by seniors Mike Pizzella (D), Jay Ramirez (MD), Connor Oates (MD) and Patrick Kurtz (MD). Senior Anthony Sileo (S) and junior Dylan Dersimonian (S) are joined by newcomer junior Kevin Regula (S/J) and the Panthers should be a strong relay team.
Teaneck should be one of the better teams in the division and returns Lafayette commit Alex Caba (S), Justin Meyer (S/SP), Alejandro Cruz (MD) and Michael Ian Delgado (D) and junior Josh Tejada (D).
Tenafly is rebuilding but has some blocks in place with senior Gerard Santosh (MD) and juniors William Reiser (MD), Michael Forde (LS/MD), Jaylen Tang (S) and Rio Avnery (D).
PATRIOT DIVISION
Indian Hills has a new coach, former Braves standout Pete Tuohy and a good core of athletes including returnees seniors Deniz Kalkandelen (LS/MD) and Gabe Speiser (S) and junior Dan Phillips (D). Senior Raffi Buchakjian (D) is a first-year winter runner with excellent spring track and cross-country credentials , junior sprinter Zander Graham is a transfer from St. Joseph and junior Colin Kamm (MD/D) adds depth.
Mahwah has its largest winter turnout ever and with returning talent like seniors Brayden Lowe-Massi (MD/D), Anthony DePasquale (SP), Luke Powers (S), Andrew Krocynski (D) and Ryan Stanford (S) and juniors Michael Cingoli (D), Joe Perriello (H/J) and Nolan Duffy (S) added to winter newcomers like Demetrius Hester (SP), the Thunderbirds could be a dark horse in many meets this season.
Pascack Hills is very young but has some talent, especially the multi talented junior Ben Mandler, one of the state's top pole vaulters, who is also an excellent jumper and sprinter. Junior Peter Priestner (D) will also score for the Broncos who should improve quickly.
Ramsey has a lot of potential individual standouts who are looking to reach further success. Look for seniors Luke McGurr (S), Carson Deas (H), Grant Goehrig (S), Lucas Chung (S) and Jack Adler (S) and junior Brad Weiner (SP) to take the next step.
River Dell returns some excellent seniors in Eric Kim (S/J), Sean Langley (S), Chris Lynch (H/S), George Cabany (J/S), Devran Ozkan (J), Matt McGinnis (MD) and Tamas Kellermann (SP) and outstanding juniors Liam Schwabik (MD) and Ryan Iacovone (SP).
Westwood has a new coach in former Paramus standout Brad Gatens and he hopes to build around returning senior sprinters Jack Dugan (North Jersey football scoring leader) and Dimitri Pothos and junior William Roche (D). Anthony Valene (S) should add depth.
UNITED DIVISION
Bergen Catholic is expecting to be one of the area's better teams and with talent like Allan Hilton Clarke (S/J), Logan Casey (S), Tristan Oliver (S/J), Tommy Rogers (D), Joe Griffith (LS/MD), Jason Lessieu (J), Justin King (SP), Brendan O'Rourke (D), Oliver Lopez (PV) and Gabe Biedleman (J) they should have little trouble doing that,
Former Don Bosco All-American Dalton Friend takes over as head coach and welcomes back sprint coach Maurice Gibbs as part of a staff that hopes to bring the Ironmen back to the prominence it had in the early 2010s. Seniors Paul Maguire (D), an all-North Jersey cross-country selection, Tom Petrie (D), and Eddie Geerlof (SP) and junior All-American hammer thrower Oliver Stroka lead the way with newcomers like junior Logan Bush (S/J) (a second team all-North Jersey running back) and freshman Owen Hickey (D)
Paramus Catholic should contend for the league title with a talented group with just senior letterman, jumper Zhaire Trinidad and an excellent junior class that includes Adrain Laing (H/J), Corey Sanders (MD), Antonio Colon (S), Preston Parham (H) and Nicholas Micheal (D). Soph James Dely (H/S) could be one of the best 10th graders in the state.
St. Joseph has some solid leadership and talent in seniors Ryan Dormelas (S/J), Jayden Jenkins (S), and Jeff Guneratne (D) and junior Ja'Dyn Williams (S) but its the sophomore class with Makhi Jones (S/J), Mekhi Rossignol (S/J), Liam Stagg (SP), Kevin Konovitch (SP) and Rob Stugliano (SP) that will determine how good the season is.
NJIC
Becton has its first winter team in 12 years and head coach Quinn Geraghty, a former Bogota standout has some talent that includes Jaydon Gilkes (S/J), Stephen Longo (LS/MD), Aiden Hansen (D), Zacq Cartey (J/S), Chri Zawadzki (SP) and Malaika Ottey (SP).
Dwight-Englewood has an experienced senior group led by Davis Lee (S), Colin McKoy (S/J), James West (D), and Amari Boyd (H/J) and has solid underclassmen in junior Noah Thomas (J), and sophs Baptite Louis (D) and Anderson Thompson (S/J) and Alan Thompson (SP).
Eastern Christian has a versatile team led by seniors Peter Visser (PV) and Sebastiano Secades (J/S), juniors Stone Davis (PV) and Tim LaBianca (PV) and sophs Alex Culp (D) and Caleb Kuperus (H/MD).
Emerson has a very young team with lots of raw talent and potential. Look for leadership to come from senior Matt Coyle (j/PV) and junior Alex Talmazan (D). Leo Danziger and Danny Doherty are among the promising newcomers.
Garfield has senior leadership from Adriano Sotomayor (MD) and Treson Mosley (S) and some very promising underclassmen in sophs Aaron Gilkes (MD) and Jakub Stypulkowski (D).
Glen Rock looks to contend for the group 1 sectional title led by Devan Wasserman (S/LS), Hayden Yuzon (S), Ben Raser (D), Tyler Caswell (H/S) and Devin Smith (LS/MD).
Hasbrouck Heights has about 70% of its spring track athletes involved in other sports but seniors Luke Jimenez (H/J), Roman Eschert (SP), JJ Loor (D) and Bobir Asatov (D), junior Tyler Cappadonna (SP) and sophs Sebastian Broncato (H), Max Mazza (H/J), Chihiro Suenaga (D) and all-league cross-country star Aidan Morrow (D) will be competitive in the winter.
Hawthorne has a large turnout and the Bears are trying to sort things out. Top returnees appear to be Luca LaMonica (LS/MD), John Paul Wedemeyer (SP), Neo Bernabe (SP), Cole Zervas (SP), John Convertino (SP), Ishan Makthedar (D), Logan Harmer (D), Jeancarlos Mendoza (S) and Tyler Lizardo (S).
Lodi hopes junior Anthony Rodriguez (J) can build on his success last year and hopes Ivan Larcier (S/J) can deliver on the promise he showed last spring.
Former standout Kim Hykey takes over at Lyndhurst with great enthusiasm. She welcomes the return of seniors Hayden DeKoyer (D) and Ted Cohen (H) and expects to build the program based on strong work ethic.
Manchester has just one senior letterman, sprinter Ne'Khiycle Jackson, but an excellent junior class of Bryan Sosa (D), Sebastian Nunez (S/H), DeMarco Haye (S), Steven Ramirez (S/H) and Elijah Rowe (J) should help the Falcons have a successful season.
New Milford is led by senior Ben Zelasco (H/J) and has an excellent freshman in Jonah Chacko (D). But the Knights have a nice base in seniors Matt Alasio, Eamon Block, Hayden Day, Derek Felix, Bryce Ocden and Tom Tawfik and should improve quickly.
New head coach Kevin Blackford takes over at North Arlington and has high praise for senior middle distance runner Thomas Maleski, saying that he could not ask for a better senior leader with his "never quit" attitude. Junior Fabrizio Garcia (S), soph Aidan Maleski (S/LS) also return and sophs Rami Kahlil (MD) and Nathan Caballero (MD) should add needed depth.
Pompton Lakes junior Andrew Armstrong (MD) is looking to build on a great spring track season and comes off a terrific soccer season. Senior Nick Wirth (MD) and soph Brian Keating (PV) should also significantly improve.
Rutherford has a very talented freshman class that will be the foundation of the program in the future but for now they'll count on all-North Jersey cross-country runner Tadael Mihret (D) and Kai Sperling (S) to keep them going in the right direction.
Saddle Brook looks for big seasons from seniors Jake DiJulia (S) and Nick Suero (MD/D) and juniors Greg Ramirez (SP), Luke Faber (SP) and Michael Banach (S).
Former Jefferson High School and Monmouth University thrower Jordan Wildermuth takes over at Secaucus and she has a pair of potential league and Hudson County championship contenders in seniors Younes Abada (MD) and Randy Worthington (SP).
Waldwick has a new coach in Andrew Fucarino and two fine distance runners in senior Joe Capuzzo and junior Marshall Carver.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Winter track: Boys team-by-team previews for 2022-23 season
