It will be tough to top last year’s season – at least when it comes to individual performances. The Lady Lynx were 2-2 in the Berks League, but they sent eight girls to the state meet and took home numerous individual medals.
Although they will miss graduating seniors Jecenia Duran, Katie Hirko and Kim Lessig, the Lady Lynx will have a lot of talent coming back, including District 3 silver medalist Olivia Boyer.
In fact, they will have the largest team the program, has ever had, thanks to its growing popularity, and to the fact that girls’ soccer moved to the fall, giving the track team some of those players.
‘We have both experienced athletes and quite a few new faces,’ said Head Coach Steven Boyer. ‘Even though we have many girls that are new to track, they are not new to athletics. We have female athletes that are attempting track and field for the first time. It should be a very exciting and rewarding experience for them.’
If the younger girls want to learn, they have a good role model in senior Olivia Boyer. As a distance and mid-distance runner, she set the school record in the 3200m last season and was also on last season’s 4×800 relay team that also set a new school record. She has earned multiple county and District III medals in her career.
Last season Olivia was the District III silver medalist in the 3,200m and a bronze medalist as part of the 4×800 relay. She competed in the state meet in both the 3,200 and the 4×800 relay last season.
Senior Megan Deptula competed in sprints, horizontal jumps and javelin.
‘Megan has been a dependable sprinter and jumper throughout her high school career,’ said Coach Boyer. ‘She is looking to improve in all of her events, particularly javelin where she hopes to become a state qualifier.’
Sarah Kane, another senior, competes in the shot and discus. She was the 2012 shot put champion in Berks County, third in the event at the District 3 meet, and qualfied for the state championships. The hope is this year that she not only qualifies for the states, but medals there. That is a very realistic goal for her.
Megan McClellan (senior) competes in the springs and jumps. ‘Megan has been a dependable and enthusiastic member of our team for the past few years,’ said Coach Boyer. ‘She has a great work ethic, is extremely coachable and is looking to improve in all of her events this season.’
Nicole Snyder (senior) is back at the hurdles, springs, high jump and pole vault.
‘Nicole is a very athletic, well-rounded athlete who excels in all of her events,’ said Boyer. ‘She is focused on improving and qualifying for the state championships this season.’
Rachel Stahl (senior), a mid-distance runner, was a key member of the 4 x 800 relay team last year. The team broke the school record and competed at the state championships. Individually she hopes to get to the state meet in the 800 meters.
Rebecca Zechman (senior) will be back as a sprints and mid-distance runner. She will compete in the 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 relay teams. She is a district medalists and aims to take her relay teams to the state championships.
‘We have a great combination of experience and youth,’ said Coach Boyer. ‘We have solid senior leadership this year in all events, which is rare for a AA team. In addition, we have a very large and young incoming group of athletes who are very willing to learn and improve this season.’
This could certainly be another big season for the Oley girls’ track team. They have the potential for a lot of district medals, and maybe even a few state medals.
If a couple of the younger girls can step up and make significant contributions to the team, it could be a very good season for the Lynx.
‘Our major goal is for every team member to be as successful as possible,’ said Boyer. ‘This means that, once again, we hope to be one of the top AA teams in District III and to qualify as many girls as possible for the state championships.’
