Clarkston boys track coach Walt Wyniemko thinks it’s too early yet to guess how his team will do this year. In fact, the only thing he seems very certain on regarding his team is its age.
‘We’re very young,? he said.
The Wolves are coming off a 2-4 season last year in dual meets in the OAA I. However, two of those losses came down to the last event. Lake Orion won the league last year, and Wyniemko said the Dragons are probably the favorite once again heading into this season. Other teams competing with Lake Orion and Clarkston in the league are Pontiac Northern, West Bloomfield, Rochester Adams, Rochester and Farmington Hills Harrison. Last year the Wolves finished fourth overall in the league.
This year’s team is captained by seniors Nick Blackstone, Tom Fick, Brett Kenerson, Rick Morris, Michael Peteuil, Michael Provenzano, Brendon Quisenberry, Matt Smith, Joe Seibert, Nick Swantek and Eric Thomas, Wyniemko said.
Over half of this year’s team is made up of underclassmen.
‘We’re a young team, but we have some individual skills,? he said. ‘We just have to find a way to mesh those all together.?
Wyniemko noted several key athletes from this year’s team including sophomores Brad Gale and Jesse Kessler on the hurdles, sophomore sprinter Gregg Knappe, junior distance runner Andy Kondra, junior sprinter Mike Nelsen, Peteuil, junior shot putter Garrett Phillips, distance runner Seibert and sprinter Brandon Wischmeyer.
Wyniemko said a lot of the questions for his team will be answered at the team’s scrimmage against Grand Blanc and Flint Central (results were not available at press time).
‘We know we have to develop,? he said. ‘An early strong start would certainly help, but I’m not sure there’s a lot of carry over from last year. A lot of these kids weren’t here last year. Our main objective is just to improve our distance and our times with each meet. If we can do that we’ll do alright.?
Wyniemko did not want to predict how his team would finish standing wise however.
‘I’m not going to sit here and say we’ll win all of them, but I’m not saying we’re going to lose them all either. All we ask of our kids is for them to work hard, have fun and do the best they can. That’s all you can ever ask of them.?
This marks Wyniemko’s 25th year of coaching Clarkston track and he noted a few special things about the sport he loves.
‘It’s always fun to see the kids compete,? he said. ‘It’s always good to see the kids do their best. One thing about track is you can’t hide out there. If you can improve your distance or your time that’s all you can ask of the kids. One thing about Clarkston athletes is they’re very competitive. We just want them to do the best they can out there.?