Is the Parkland girls track and field team on track to be regular and postseason league champs again?

“We expect to be in contention for those titles again this year,” Parkland head coach Stephen Ott said. “Our dual meet season will be tough. We start with Easton and end with Emmaus. We have many quality opponents in between.”

The Trojans have a habit of coming out on top and there’s reason to think that will happen again in 2023. Part of the reason why is the year-round dedication of the athletes and coaches.

“We often talk to our athletes about taking care of the things that they can control outside our training and competitions,” Ott said. “Sleep, diet, hydration and stretching are some of those areas. Their diet is the fuel that drives them, so they need to be mindful of what they put into their bodies. Hydration is key, and it is a continual thing not just on meet days. Taking the time to stretch after workouts is very important. Finally athletes need sleep to help their body and mind recover. It is a daily thing, not just sometimes.”

Parkland’s returning roster is loaded with talent. The distance team features Lana Hurwitz, Lucy Tobia, Gracie Trexler and Madison Seed. The sprinters are not only fast, they’re quick. Naeema Salau, Cierra Valley, Ivy Dias and Addison Shevlin. Trojan fans can watch for hurdlers Madison Bowman and Emily Hoysan to have fine seasons this spring.

Claire Eberhardt will lead throwers while Hailey Sammarco, Cat Crampton and Meghan Haines will contribute to the Parkland cause in jumps.

One of the reasons the program continues to produce winners is its depth and constant replenishment of talent. When a good athletes graduate, others are often ready to take their place. That’s not by accident and look for a few of these youngsters to emerge this season. One should be sprinter Kaley Seide.

In this his fourth season, Ott can’t wait for the season to start. His foray into coaching track began while he was still a student.

“As a freshman in high school at Parkland, I was taught to hurdle by a senior hurdler,” he said. “Starting my sophomore year, I began to take the lead with the training of our hurdlers. It was fun, and I love watching the success my teammates had. I continued this through my senior year. I started coaching on the Parkland staff right out of college. I enjoy helping our student-athletes grow in their success on the track but more importantly in life. Seeing all of their growth and success is very rewarding.”