Catasauqua sent a contingent of 27 athletes to the PIAA District 11 Class 2A track and field championship at Blue Mountain High School Tuesday afternoon, which comes after Press deadlines.

“That’s a good number, and it is a good experience for our team,” said Rough Riders’ head coach Kyle Rusnock. “We have a lot of young kids who will get a second chance as well as the older kids.

“We had a good showing at leagues, and our league just has so many good athletes. We should be more competitive with teams that are at our level.”

The highest finishers for the Roughies at the Colonial League meet were seniors Dorian Hoagland (second, javelin) and Tyler Monahan (fourth, shot) and freshman Lauren DeLong (fourth, shot).

“Dorian has been throwing well all year,” said Rusnock. “Tyler works really hard, and it has paid off for him. Lauren has thrown well, and she continues to get better.

“We also have been running well in our relays, and we could make a mark there.”

The rest of the Roughies who qualified for districts were seniors Lexi Rushatz (400, 800, 1,600 and 4 X 400), Donovan Ahart (400), Breonna Brinkley (400, 800, 4 X 400, 4 X 800), Olivia Emery (300 hurdles), Ty Reitz (200, 4 X 100), Angel Font (400, 800, 4 X400, 4 X 800), juniors Kyra Jackson (100 and 300 hurdles, 4 x 100), Lucy Brubaker (800, 4 X 400, 4 X 800), Madison Harth (triple jump), and Aidan Gerhard (shot, discus).

Also included were sophomores Madelyn Gonzalez (100, 200, high jump, 4 X 100), Kaylee Weidaw (3,200), Wyatt Younes (100, 200, long jump, 4 X 100), Jacob Dove (400, 4 X 100, 4 X 400), Vinny Limandri (4 X 800), and Jaxon Berrier (800, 4 X 800) along freshmen Jaclyn Waltz (100, 200, 4 X 100), Alivia Bear (4 x 400), Ian Juica (long jump, 4 X 100, 4 X 400)

Alternates were juniors Juliza Rodriguez, Sydney Gebhardt, Jared Schneck, and Julianna Grate, all in relays.

“Aidan Gerhart has been nursing an injury and she should be back to throw,” added Rusnock. “Ty Reitz has been doing well in the 200 and he was in the middle of the pack at leagues. He should do better at districts.”

With his unit, Rusnock is optimistic that his team can produce well overall, and expects some individuals to advance to states.

“We have had a good year,” he said. “Some of them have a real opportunity to move on.”