The high school sports prognostication business is a tough business, even if coaching high school sports is your business.

“Track and field is a tough sport to predict,” Emmaus head coach Kami Reinhard said. “If you lose just one of your top athletes due to illness or injury, it could be a 15-point swing in a meet. What we do know is that the boys team has the ability and talent to do big things this season and in the next few years. But if we don’t keep our athletes healthy and injury free, we won’t be able to achieve those big things.”

There’s also a monkey, or more accurately a Trojan, hanging on the Emmaus boys track and field program’s back.

“The Emmaus boys team hasn’t won against Parkland since 1995 and they are such a dominating team, year after year,” Reinhard said.

The great rivalry between the schools has fostered more than competition.

“We hold high respect for the Parkland program, along with many other schools who continue to develop top state athletes,” the coach said. “In my second year as head coach, our boys team performed within just a few points against Parkland, and the win came down to the 4-by-400 relay.

“Whether our league record shows 6-2, 7-1 or 8-0, this team has numerous athletes who can perform high at the district and state level, as long as they remain healthy.”

The Hornets return superlative sprinters in Donavan McCargo, Blaise Verrastro, Lane Bassett, Damar Gilzeane and Tylik Jarvis. The distance running group is also top-notch with Oscar Felegy, Tyler Finck, Brett Pevec, Conor Fisher, Sam Dalton, Miles Cook, Kai Mattern, Jared Petre and Richard Will.

The top returning throwers feature Tyler Shotwell, Deon Edwards, Tyriq Smith and Haven Tarbox. The hurdling squad should also contribute to the Emmaus cause. Lucian Facchiano, Ben Price, Reagan Breish and Dylan Smith will handle those duties, while Kyle Moore, Evan Loro, Jasiyah Banks and Lucian Freeman are the Hornets top for returning jumpers. Aiden Hurlburt, Tyler Grabinski and Maxwell Kennedy will jump high this season with the pole vault.

Reinhard and her staff welcome the addition of Dylan Darville, a tremendous athlete who has starred for Emmaus on the gridiron and hardwood during his high school career. Look for him to contribute in a few different event groups. Senior Josh Lynds has proved he can vault, sprint, jump and throw as a first-time track and field athlete. Junior Marcus Puentes has worked his way right into both sprints and pole vaulting. He’s a strong overall athlete.

Two sophomores - Dylan Swartwood and Michael Milot - progressed during the indoor season. Watch what they can do outside this spring.

Reinhard is excited about a new track and field season. But that doesn’t mean it’s always a bed of roses.

“I believe in pulling out every ounce of goodness from our student-athletes...but that requires some tough love conversations and decisions,” Reinhard said. “One athlete once told me ‘coach, you tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear.’

“I can only hope our athletes and parents feel my joy and passion for the sport, and my goal of developing the best experience for our student-athletes.”