Thin Gateway track and field roster still boasts plenty of talent

By: William Whalen
Friday, April 5, 2019 | 5:14 PM

When it was all said and done last season, longtime Gateway track and field coach Tom LaBuff felt good when he looked ahead to the 2019 season.

And then, football standouts Courtney Jackson and Jeremiah Joseph chose to early enroll this past January at Syracuse and Miami (Ohio), respectively. A few athletes didn’t join the team, a few others were lost to graduation, and now LaBuff finds himself looking for few good Gators to round out a thin squad.

“We’re never ever really going to be (a) deep (team),” LaBuff said. “We’ll always get numbers in the 20’s.

“The freshmen are going to do nothing but get better. We have some great attitudes there. Mostly it’s a matter of maturing and really finding the right leadership.”

In addition to Jackson and Joseph, LaBuff is missing seniors Elijah Lincoln and Nick Grill, who were expected to improve upon their 2018 performances.

“It’s killing us in the high jump, hurdles, mid-distances and the relays,” LaBuff said. “You’re taking away three out of those four that medaled at WPIALs last year.

“Four key kids all in one year. We’re gonna struggle with depth. I’m sure some programs all have losses like that.”

But all is not lost for the boys team, and there’s still plenty to be optimistic about. While Gateway may struggle with numbers, there’s always raw and untapped talent ready to step up.

One of those athletes looking to step up is junior Nana Adusepoku, who will compete in the 200- and 400-meter run. LaBuff expects Adusepoku to make a run at WPIAL gold in both events and help out with the relay teams.

“He’s under the radar,” LaBuff said. “He’ll get lots of attention and, arguably, he was our best last spring.”

Sophomore speedster Derrick Davis is another bright spot. Davis turned in a strong showing in the 100 and 200 meters at last season’s WPIAL championships and is expected to improve.

“He is a tremendous talent,” LaBuff said. “He’s also a fine long jumper and is looking to develop in the high jump as well.”

The distance runners will led by junior Riley Pritchard and sophomores Luke Whisel and Joey Storey.

The Gators are strong in the field events, as well. First-year senior Bryce Washington is setting a new personal record in the shot put every time out.

“He’s just kind of getting the feel of things,” LaBuff said.

Upstart sophomores in jumper Jayden Hurt and pole vaulter Denim Ortiz are both a little raw but are loaded with potential.

Gateway also is missing senior sprinter Kianah Blakely-White, who didn’t come out for the team.

“In my opinion, that would been the thing that might have gotten us over the hump,” LaBuff said.

One of the strengths on the girls team is in the field. Coming off a solid performances at WPIALs last season, senior throwers Shelly Jones and Sarah Corrie look to get back to the individual postseason. LaBuff said Corrie’s best event might be the javelin where she finished seventh in the WPIAL last season. LaBuff said both girls should be in line for a trip to states.

On the track, senior hurdler Mary Kromka is back in the hurdles.

“If had 50 Mary Kromkas, I’d be thrilled,” LaBuff said. “She’s a quite the leader.”

Kromka’s doing her best to help coach. She has taken promising sophomore Christabelle Livsey under her wing. Livesy will compete in the 300 hurdles and is turning heads in both the long and triple jumps. Freshman jumper Jordan Jennings also is contributing.

LaBuff will need to rely on a group of underclassmen to fill out the rest of the roster. He likes his middle- and long- distance runners in Kiyara Sawyers, Emma Sandor, Sarah Karstetter and Megan McFetrudge. LaBuff said freshman sprinter Amaya Robinson has some late-season potential. Sophomore Cenaiya Burgher also is making strides in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

“They’re gonna get experience and they are going to get better,” LaBuff said. “Our biggest problem will probably be a lack of depth. We hope to be able to challenge for one of the top two spots in the section.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

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