Norwin track teams have depth to contend for WPIAL titles

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Norwin has taken the upper hand in many section track and field matches in recent years and has the winning streaks to prove it.

The program has the talent to add to those streaks — and maybe the trophy case, too.

The girls have won 33 straight section meets and have finished 5-0 against section teams in six straight seasons.

The boys take a 20-meet winning streak into a new season. They are 29-1 since 2018 and also finished second in the WPIAL last spring.

Both finished as the WPIAL runner-up last year and appear to have the talent for another run at gold.

“I believe this is one of the deepest teams we have had,” Norwin coach Tim Van Horn said. “I feel that each event has athletes that can compete against everyone.

“We have a lot of athletes that will contribute this season. Our younger crew has really worked hard this season and we expect big things from them moving forward.”

Boys team

Top returning athletes include Jeremiah Francis, who was second in the WPIAL in the 300-meter hurdles and sixth in the 110s; Xander Irwin, who was fourth in the pole vault; Eliezer Nicolas, a 10th-place finisher in the 200 and key piece to the winning 1,600 relay; Luke Simpson, who was fifth in the 800; and two members of the fourth-place 400-meter relay in Daniel Maddock and Ryan Schiller, who was second in the 110 hurdles.

Others to watch are Enzo Jiancristoforo (1,600, 800, 3,200 relay); Gage Mamie (triple jump); Callum Turner (discus, shot put); Thomas Gaydos (1,600, 3,200); Nick Puskar (pole vault); Tyler Beck (110/300 hurdles); Sauly Guyaux (javelin, discus); Nick Bognar (lomg jump, 400); Potter Brozeski (high jump, long jump, 200, 400); and Ben McBride (1,600, 800).

“Our boys jumpers are returning a lot of our top athletes from last year and have high aspirations for this season,” Van Horn said.

The boys and girls distance group experienced strong cross country and indoor track seasons, while Van Horn said the group of boys hurdlers could be one of the strongest the program has seen.

“We expect them to score a good amount of points for us this season,” Van Horn said.

Girls team

Lexie Heller returns after finishing second in the WPIAL in the javelin and eighth in the shot put.

Additional returnees include Mel Schmidt, a Duquesne commit, who was third in the 200 and 400 and fourth in the 1,600 relay; Annie Czajkowski, who was fourth in the 1,600 and fourth with the 3,200 relay; Brandi Brozeski, who was seventh in the 100 and eighth in the high and triple jumps; and Kiley DeNoble, who was ninth in the pole vault.

Other to watch: Karina Karadus (300/100 hurdles); Myla McCabe (200, 400, 1,600 relay); Autumn Stoken (300 hurdles, 1,600 relay; Addison Farrah (3,200); Gabby Watson (long, triple jumps); Alex Oestreich (long, triple jumps); Emily Dansak (1,600, 800); Anna Dansak (1,600, 800); and Jillian Ryba (800, 3,200).

“Our girls sprint and jump crews have deepened and we hope to drop times across the board,” Van Horn said.

Even with all of the returning talent, the Knights are not expecting any guarantees.

“Both the girls and the boys know how competitive the WPIAL is and know they have to show up each and every meet,” Van Horn said. “Our section is very competitive, and we know the teams continue to get stronger. Our first goal is to focus on our dual meets and win the section. Our second goal is to make the WPIAL team championships, and the third goal would be to win the WPIAL championship.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin