Honesdale track & field teams will be young and exciting this season

Kevin Edwards, Tri-County Independent

HONESDALE — Hundreds of local fans gathered at the Daniel J. O’Neill Sports Complex Tuesday afternoon to watch Honesdale’s track & field teams open up the 2024 outdoor season.

The Hornets put out the proverbial welcome mat for perennial District 2 powerhouse Scranton Prep in an exhibition meet that coach Paul Russick believes foreshadows good things to come.

“We definitely saw some solid performances out there today,” the veteran skipper said. “It’s nice to find a decent day in March to compete outside in track. I definitely think we should be competitive this season.”

Weather permitting, Honesdale will open up its regular season schedule next week on the road at Western Wayne.

Action gets underway at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sharkey Rosetti Memorial Sports Complex in Varden.

More: Former Western Wayne multi-sport star Lyndsay Barna tapped by the PIAA

Also by Kevin Edwards: Former Western Wayne distance running standout now stars at Misericordia

Veteran leadership

Honesdale is coming off a season in which both varsity teams struggled in a loaded Lackawanna League.

The girls team posted a 1-3 record in Division II action while the girls finished up 2-2. Delaware Valley and Wallenpaupack Area both went undefeated and are the defending divisional champs.

Brenna Dahlgren of Honesdale surges across the finish line to win the girls 1600M against Scranton Prep.
Brenna Dahlgren of Honesdale surges across the finish line to win the girls 1600M against Scranton Prep.

The Hornets will look to a battle-tested group of seniors (Brenna Dahlgren, Roz Mikulak, Rebecca Dadig, Elektra Kehagias, Logan Novobilski, Peter Pham and Jacob Garvey) to provide leadership for a roster filled with talented underclassmen.

“We only have a total of seven seniors in the program right now,” Russick said. “We are definitely young, but we do have a great group of returnees. I expect to compete week in and week out. The main goal is to get better each and every week.”

Dahlgren will spearhead the girls attack.

A returning all-star who excels in distance events, Dahlgren has her sights set on Honesdale’s school records in both the 1600M and 3200M. Those mark currently stand at 4:56 and 10:51, respectively.

Honesdale's Conlan Keast and Alex Loftin exchange the baton during Tuesday's 400M relay versus Scranton Prep.
Honesdale's Conlan Keast and Alex Loftin exchange the baton during Tuesday's 400M relay versus Scranton Prep.

“I have definitely set some pretty big goals for my senior season,” she said. “I’ve been eyeing up those records for the past couple of years and I am hoping to be able to stay healthy enough to reach them.”

Mikulak is a multi-sport standout who’s headed to Slippery Rock in the fall to continue her field hockey career. This spring, she’ll compete in several different events, but should make her biggest impact in the pole vault.

Honesdale’s current school record stands at an even nine feet, a mark Mikulak has tied numerous times but has yet to eclipse.

“I’m really excited for this season to finally get started,” she said. “Track is a great sport to be involved in and I am fortunate that we have a great program. I’m hoping to finally break that record this year.”

Dadig is a talented triple jumper and Kehagias should shine in the discus.

Rebecca Dadig of Honesdale soars to a solid finish in the triple jump Tuesday afternoon at the Daniel J. O'Neill Sports Complex.
Rebecca Dadig of Honesdale soars to a solid finish in the triple jump Tuesday afternoon at the Daniel J. O'Neill Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, the boys team will be paced by a trio of seasoned veterans

Novobilski will be a threat to win the 800M and 1600M each week. Garvey is slated to anchor a promising young contingent of throwers while Pham excels in both sprints and middle distance events.

“All of them are multiple year members of the varsity team,” Russick said. “I think they each have a chance to really compete at the district level.”

On the horizon

This year’s Lackawanna League format will feature a total of 22 teams divided up into four divisions.

•Division I: Abington Heights, Scranton Prep, Valley View, West Scranton, Scranton High.

•Division II: Honesdale, Wallenpaupack Area, Western Wayne, Delaware Valley, North Pocono.

Honesdale's Logan Novobilski checks his watch and is ready to rocket off the starting line Tuesday afternoon versus Scranton Prep.
Honesdale's Logan Novobilski checks his watch and is ready to rocket off the starting line Tuesday afternoon versus Scranton Prep.

•Division III: Carbondale Area, Lakeland, Mid Valley, Dunmore, Holy Cross, Riverside.

•Division IV: Susquehanna, Montrose, Blue Ridge, Lackawanna Trail, Mountain View, Elk Lake.

The 2024 regular season begins Tuesday, April 2 and runs through Monday, April 29. This year’s Robert Spagna League Meet will be held Tuesday, May 7 at Scranton Memorial Stadium, followed by the District 2 Championships May 13-17.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honedale varsity track teams set for Lackawanna League season

Advertisement