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Buckeye Local track rebuilding

By SETH STASKEY

Times Leader Sports Editor

CONNORVILLE — The effects of COVID-19 are being felt everywhere.

They’re clearly evident inside the Buckeye Local track program. Thankfully no one is sick and the team is moving forward. However, the virus has affected the numbers.

As Coach Wayne McCracken (boys) and his wife, Diane McCracken, begin their 12th seasons at the helm, they have many fewer athletes to coach.

Actually, the boys program has just five athletes, while it’s a little bit better on the girls with 11.

Both are significant drops from the 2020 season, which never unfolded.

“As a coaching staff, we’re very disappointed with our numbers,” Wayne McCracken said. “We had only one senior boy return to the program.”

The boys who comprise the team are senior Nathan Jarrell (distance), sophomores Dayne Carter (middle distance), Cai McKeever (middle distance) and freshmen A.J. Devore (sprints) and Ryder Kindberg-Collibelli.

GIRLS

Meanwhile, Diane McCracken has a few more athletes with which to work, but they have nary a senior.

Juniors Mariah Pelkey (throws) and Sharlynn Cesario (throws) lead the list of returnees.

Sophomores Cori Griffith and Haley Langsdorf will both enter the distance contingent.

While the sophomore sprint contingent is comprised of Kalia Hundley, Rylee Glover, Ashley Soos and Janyah Withers.

Freshmen in the mix are Kaitlyn Jarrell (throws), Pam Kandrach (shot, high jump) and Madison Wilt (high jump).

“The girls are a hard-working group,” Diane McCracken said. “We’re looking forward to the season.”

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