As his team begins a new track season, Catasauqua head coach Kyle Rusnock has a positive outlook ahead with a number of athletes back in the fold.

“We are happy to have a lot of athletes back this year,” said the ever-energetic and optimistic Rusnock. “Mixing in some newcomers, we should have another successful season. The kids are working very hard and improving every day.”

Rusnock will look to junior Hailey Jenkins, who was sixth in the state in the 100, and her brother Hamaad, who was a state qualifier in the 200. Hailey holds the girls’ school record in the 100 (12.22) and 200 (25.63), and Hamaad holds the boys’ school record in the 200 (12.28).

Junior Jo-Jo Lafond is back in the hurdles after having a consistent season last year, and senior Jordan Bradshaw should have a good season in the jumps. Fellow senior Jonathan Cordon Pinto is looking to improve in the pole vault. Lafond was fourth in the 300 hurdles at both the league and district meets.

Juniors Frankie Pujols and Manny Bolmer, along with sophomore Frankie Concepcion should excel in the sprints, jumps, and relays. Junior Cadeo Estronza was fifth in the 800 in the league meet, and senior Jonathan Rizzo will look to lower his times in the distance races.

Juniors Julia Harth and Dakota Velos are both back in the hurdles, and Harth also will be in the jumps.

Junior Kayla Davis will be competing in the sprints, jumps, and relays, and senior Alyssa Baker has been doing well in the throws.

Rusnock will also look to newcomers freshmen Evan Delong (throws), Sarina Sankari (distance) and Josiah Martinez (sprints).

With some strong performances in the preseason, Rusnock believes his team’s steady streams of success will lead to dividends down the road. The Rough Riders opened the season against Bangor at home Wednesday (see story above).

“We are proud of their work ethic,” beamed Rusnock. “Obviously, we hope to qualify our athletes for leagues, districts, and states and get some more hardware.”