When Salisbury opens its track and field season on Thursday at Wilson in a tri-meet with Notre Dame (Green Pond), it marks the last of the four Salisbury spring sports to kick off 2016. But when it does, a number of individuals will be looking to get memorable seasons, and for some even historic seasons, underway.

Plenty of athletes graduated from last year’s team, including a number of state qualifiers on both the boys and girls side. Not only must the current group of Falcons replace those voids, but there’s a new face in charge.

Victor DeOliveira, who was in charge of the sprints and hurdles events for the past three years, takes over duties for longtime head coach Doug Hensinger in 2016.

“I think the switch will be relatively smooth,” DeOliveira said. “I have two new coaches this year and I have moved to distance. So far things have gone very well, and I am pleased with how the team and the coaching staff have meshed.”

Throwers, jumpers

headline boys team

On the boys’ side, it’s quick to notice the absence of a familiar name in the distance running events. Kyle Gonoude, a district gold medalist in two events last year, has graduated after a four-year run that concluded with a sixth-place finish in states in the 1600-meter run. Greg Fry is also gone after placing fourth in the 3200 at districts.

But last year’s group of throwers and jumpers impressed many across the board. That crew might have even more in store for 2016 with many of those same faces returning.

“The male strengths are without a doubt are throwing and jumping,” said Mason Donaldson, who placed second in the high jump last year at districts. “Tevon [Weber] is obviously one of the best throwers in the district. And then Kyle [Hartzell] is probably going to be one of the best throwers in the district as well.”

Weber won the Class 2A javelin and advanced to states, and he’ll be the leader with plenty of newcomers joining the throwing events.

Donaldson participated in all three jumping events last year, but plans to focus solely on the long jump in this his senior season.

“I’m a competitor,” Donaldson said. “I’m putting as much effort as I put into football right now into track. I’m going 110 percent at it. Like I said, I’m a competitor so I want to win at all costs, even if it’s a sport that comes second.”

And he won’t be the only one making noise in the jumping events. Notre Dame-Green Pond transfer Jack Reichenbach joined Salisbury this year and looks to follow in the footsteps of his brother Dan, who is now at Lehigh University.

“He can easily win the long jump, triple jump and high jump,” Donaldson said. “He can win every single jumping event in every single meet if he wants to. His athletic ability is absurd at jumping. Especially with his dad and his brother, it’s in his blood and you can see it in practice.”

Ian Carson is a newcomer expected to make an impact in the jumping events. Tyler Keller returns on the pole vault scene after placing fifth at district last year.

Bauer headlines list of returning girls

Most of last year’s district medalists on the girls’ side have graduated and moved onto college, some of who are still competing in track and field. But one name that has been near the top of the Colonial League and District 11 Class 2A field for quite some time is back.

Senior Lindsay Bauer prepares for one more season after a 2015 campaign that included: district gold in the long and triple jump, silver in the 200 meter dash and 300 hurdles, and a third-place finish at states in the long jump.

“We should continue to be strong in the area of jumping, throws and pole vaulting,” DeOliveira said. “All of these groups have very good numbers with a good mix of experienced athletes and newcomers.”

Holly Szita is one of those graduates who are competing at college (at West Chester University) after placing second in the high jump last spring. Katie Toman, now at Lehigh, ran through the district field in the pole vault event and then placed first at states.

Those two will be tough to replace in the jumping events in terms of the Falcon team scores, but freshman Rylee Donaldson is a key newcomer DeOliveira has high expectations for.

Meagan Eripret (third in shot put), Isabelle Bubenko (fourth in shot put) and Maddie Undercuffler (fourth in discus) have all graduated, too. Kierra Burdais expected to be a leader in replacing those girls.

Much like her brother, Kelly Gonoude found success in distance events at the district stage. She placed first in the 1600 run and has gone on to run at Moravian College. But distance running might be tough for both the boys and girls this spring. A number of freshman and newcomers, however, could provide a few surprises in the upcoming weeks and months.

“Our numbers in distance running are low,” DeOliveira said. “We will have to improvise to fill some events. Our successes in sprinting and hurdling have been few, so we are trying to improve that area as well.

“We are a smaller school with lower numbers than previous years. We have struggled on the team side but have been very successful the past few seasons on the individual side. Right now my goals are modest-keep the athletes healthy, be competitive during the season, and get as many athletes on the podium in the postseason as possible.”