You don’t have to know Parkland High School track and field coach Stephen Ott long to know he accentuates the positive.

The Trojans’ cross country coach was scheduled to take over the track and field program this spring from Scott Levan, but the coronavirus pandemic and mandatory school closings made that impossible. Ott is positive, but he calls it like it is.

“I am truly disappointed that this season was canceled,” Ott said. “Not only because this is my first year as head coach, but also because of the seniors.”

Ott was particularly crestfallen because many seniors, he believes, were ready for their greatest triumphs.

“With my staff and my guidance, they have worked hard the past three years reaching toward their pinnacle of success in their particular event,” the coach said. “Unfortunately, they will not have the opportunity to show this success.”

The canceled season also stunts the development of his underclassmen.

“I feel bad for all of our underclassmen,” Ott noted. “A first experience for the freshman to be a part of our team and sport is lost. The sophomores will miss their opportunity to grow and improve on what they have learned last year. Our junior class will miss their transition year into a leadership role on our team.”

The dismay Ott has, however, is largest for his soon-to-be graduates.

“I am extremely disappointed for our seniors because of lost opportunity,” he said. “I stressed to the entire team though, that this is life. Life does not always deal you the best cards. How one responds to adversity is up to each person. Each of them, each of us, can only control our attitudes. Staying positive during this time is of utmost importance. I believe that fact alone will help all of our student-athletes get through these unprecedented times and become better people because of it.”

Many Parkland girls track and field members had designs on record-breaking performances this spring. They include seniors Jada Mangahas (the school record holder in pole vault at 11-6, second place in District 11 during 2019 and 11th place at indoor states this winter) along with Olivia Vaccari and Lily Goense in distance. Mona Younes and Emily Feyrer were expected to shine in throws, and Taylor Rau in jumps.

The junior class was expecting leadership from Aubrey Semler, who earned fifth place in the 400-meter run last year in District 11 competition, and Emma Tobia in sprints, Ava Bendetti and Lauren Williams were expected to star in distance, with Sonya Shivok and Mikayla-Anne Woodring leading the way in in throws.

Ott’s sophomore class has many girls ready for outstanding seasons. Melanie Lowe in sprints/hurdles, Emily Beers in distance, Marissa Olenwine in throws, and Grace Nation, Coral Shivok and Sydney Esquieres in jumps.

On the boys side, the Trojans would have been loaded with talent. Seniors such as Noah Colon, Nate Reimer and Ethan Warren would have comprised an outstanding distance team. Four other young men - Hunter Neith, Dante Medlar, Angel Ramos, and Bryce Boyer - would have made noise in throws.

Ott’s junior class would have had Mustapha Salau, Tyler Vicari, and Ryan Romain in sprints, Ben Esquieres in distance, and Trey Rolle in jumps.

The coach believes his Trojan squad would have had a successful year, while acknowledging it would have faced stern competition in the EPC.

“I believe that both the girls and boys teams would have competed for a league title,” Ott said. “Both would contend with Emmaus, Liberty, and Easton to name a few.”

Unfortunately for Ott and his Parkland Trojans, it is a race that will never be run. But as Ott has told his student-athletes, when life deals lemons, you can still make lemonade.