Spring is a time to get outdoors. For Emmaus girls track and field coach Kami Reinhard, spring means a new season and that’s something which never gets old.

“I get so excited about the season each year that each one still feels like my first,” said Reinhard, who is entering her fifth season as track and field head coach at Emmaus.

This year is particularly rewarding given the last two seasons centered around dodging COVID-related problems. Reinhard is constantly reviewing her coaching tactics and strategies and this year is no different.

“I dissect so many things about the sport to prepare for each season and I absolutely love it,” she said. “I feel like I can always be better, and I love learning more and more about the sport each year I coach.”

This year the program increased the assistant staff from eight to 14 coaches. They’ll work with a squad coming off a 7-1 regular season. Reinhard noted that the girls and boys program lost a combined 56 seniors.

Those seniors carried both programs to outstanding records for the past four years. They’re gone now, and the girls’ program will have a rebuilding season, according to Reinhard.

“We have a ton of freshman talent, but we need time to help them develop,” she said. “If you think about it, our seniors are the only class to have experienced a full, normal track and field season in their freshman year. So, we have a lot of work to do!”

Some of the top returnees include senior distance runners Belle Lees and Madison Toretta, junior Hailey Reinhard and sophomores Sophia Kovalski, Addison Kleinle, Addison Shank and Brooke Miller.

Sprinters include seniors Heather Augustin, Emily Buss and Jena Luck, along with sophomore Samantha Walkiewicz. Seniors Summer Lorincz, Alandra Pilarski and Aubrie Pavlacka, along with junior Sheldyne Pierre are talented jumpers. Molly Lineberger, a senior, and three juniors - Catherine Sirignano, Hannah Gehman and AnnMarie Mont - leading the throwing contingent.

The green and gold will be led in hurdles by senior Bethany Brown, juniors Isabelle Russo and Hadlee Horvath and sophomore Hope Brzezinski. Pole vaulters who should impress include senior Morgan Belisle, junior Georgia Yialamas, and sophomores Keira Gilboy and Sarah Greene.

The Hornet program has depth - a fact that should keep them competitive in the EPC all season and into the postseason. Emmaus fans can look for freshmen Payton Campbell, Isabella Scarlata and Addison Johnson to make an impression in distance. Abigail Burnett, Morgan Fletes, Elizabeth Burns, Ryleigh McNellis, Sheena Kassis, Lauren Kushma and Morgan Tandy should contribute in sprints, while freshmen Sara Treaster and Malena Stetz are expected to showcase their abilities in hurdles and pole vault, respectively.