By SETH STASKEY

Times Leader Sports Editor

BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport track and field program has had a changing of the guard.

Robert Newhart has taken over the reins of the program and hopes to get the squad headed in the right direction.

“The team is excited to be back,” Newhart said. “I know it was hard on everyone losing last season, but we have used that as fuel to drive us forward. We all have high hopes for this season and we’re grateful for the opportunity to compete again.”

The Bulldog boys team has seven competitors, including four seniors.

They are Brennan Meager (throws), Kaden Otte (throws), Timothy Stanton (distance), Chuck Nicola (distance).

Junior John Tully will also take part in the distance events, while sophomores Joseph Bugaj and Landon Klinger will be in the sprints.

On the girls’ side, only five competitors are out for the team and all are sprinters and jumpers.

Senior Zoe Long leads the way, while junior Haylee Conaway, sophomores Alexis Clemens and Juliauna Nelson and frosh Christa Nicola round out the roster.

“You can sense the eagerness and determination in all of our returning athletes to pick up where they left off (in 2019) and improve during the preseason,” Newhart said.