Amherst, SPASH track teams ready By JEFF OLSON Special to The Gazette Amherst The Amherst track team has a new coach this year, but hopes to continue with some of the success they had last year. With the girls winning the conference meet last year, first-year head coach Rob Sparhawk hopes they can repeat that feat, but he knows it is going to be tough. "It will be harder this year with the private and public schools combining. It won't be such a small conference anymore," said Sparhawk, who is also the cross-country coach. Nonetheless, both the boys and the girls are strong in the distance and field events this year. For the girls, they have four great distance runners who can run anything from the 800 meters to the two-mile. Sulla Pulli, an exchange student from Finland, and Samantha Diver are strong in all the long-distance events. Also returning this year will be the conference champion from last year, Jane Ovanan. Sparhawk also expects Brittney Dick, a freshman, to contribute to the distance teams as well. As for the boys, Jordan Selbo and Tim Olson are expected to make a big difference in the distance events. However, Sparhawk knows it is going to be tough for the boys, especially after losing Phil Kolback, who went to state last year for the 100-meter dash and the long jump, but has switched to playing baseball this year. SPASH boys track After having a successful season last year, the SPASH boy's track team is young this year, but still has high expectations. The Panthers will return 16 letterwinners, but have lost Josh Garbe, Travis Laird and Rob Kolodziej to graduation. However, head coach DuWayne Behnke says that this year's team is the most well-rounded team he has had since 1994. "We are very deep this year in most of the events," said Behnke. Cory Flisakowski and Nate Olson are the main sprinters for the Panthers, and Olson is a good long jumper as well. Chase Kostichka and Steve Baumhofer will also be looked upon to contribute in the long jump. Baumhofer can also high jump. Chris Solinsky will be a top runner in the two-mile. As for field events, Adam Dow will be big in the shot put and Ryan Kawski will be big in the discus. Behnke has high expectations for Rick Trzebiatowski in the pole vault. The boys got off to a great start this year, winning their first meet this past Saturday, and hope to continue their success.