With the winter sports season winding down, spring sports are upon us. Baseball, softball and track will be in full swing in the upcoming weeks, and each team has high expectations for the coming season.

Although official practice for the 2006 LV baseball team started one week ago, some players have been preparing much longer. Coach Lew McLaughlin arranged for players to jumpstart their workouts by visiting a hitting and pitching facility in Johnstown before the season actually started.

Coach McLaughlin is hoping that the team can improve on last year’s one win season. Overall the offense should be a strong spot but the pitching could be a weak spot. The team will not be returning many pitchers with varsity experience and the freshmen pitchers will be expected to step it up. This year’s seniors include Dan Bertolino, Clark Cairns, Kyle Fritz, and Kyle Riggs. The boys open up at home on March 24 with a non-conference game against North Star.

Coming off of a 10-5 season in 2005, the girls’ softball team is ready for even better results this year. “I expect the team to be a lot better,” senior Jen Cramer said. “We have a good group of freshmen coming up that show dedication and have past experience.” Jen says that, for the most part, the team works well together. Although official practices have just started, Head Coach Mark Zimerman has had the girls meeting in the high school gym during the off-season to practice pitching for the season. The girls open the season at home against Homer Center on March 27. Seniors on the team are Lanell Craig, Jen Cramer, and MacKenzie Harbison.

Coach Al Fiorina is excited about the upcoming girls’ track season. With 52 players and 18 returning lettermen, he expects this to be his largest team in three years. “Numbers are up, and there are a lot of new people,” he said, obviously pleased with the 14 freshmen going out for the team. The 18 returning lettermen will form the core that the team will build around. He is optimistic about many of the events this year, including javelin, because of the good young players. He also expects the middle distance runners and long and triple jumpers to be strong. He has high hopes for junior Anita Boyd who qualified for the state meet last year in the 400 meter dash.

He expects the team will have to rebuild the relay teams and the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. Seniors on the team are Katrina Beckman, Kimmy Firtz, Bhrie Fitchko, Katie Graham, Andrea Hoover, Meredith Lattanzio, Brittany McKeel, Alex Richardville, Kori Tetkoski and Leslie Walters. The girls started practice on March 2 in preparation for their first home meet on March 24 against Derry.

Led by head coach Mr. Mike Mannion, the boys’ track team is also looking forward to a good season. Although this year’s team is smaller than last year’s, with 20 athletes the team has two state qualifiers returning: Kyle Tennant and Mike Schwab. Although the team is smaller in numbers, junior Adam Lewis expects to “win the conference, make districts, and possibly states.” Lewis also says that the strongest part of the team is the sprinters, which include Schwab, Cody McMarlin, Andy Miller, and Adam. This year’s seniors are Adam Betton, Mike Schwab, and Kyle Tennant. Like the girls, the boys open against Derry on March 24.

Be sure to mark your calender to catch all our athlectics in action.