Brick’s indoor boys’ team reloads with young talent

Pete Panuska built his boys’ cross-country team at Brick Township with young runners. Now he’s stocking the indoor track team he coaches there with many young prospects.

"We have a great group of sophomores," said Panuska. "Some of the juniors and seniors have two, three years behind them, but the sophomores should be able to step up and the seniors should be leaders."

Gone via graduation are distance runners Andre Conklin, Mike Orlofsky and Kevin Horn, who not only ran well individually but anchored a well-respected distance medley relay.

But there are some good runners in the wings for the first meet on New Year’s Eve — the Night at the Races organized by Wall High School at Goodsports in Wall.

It will be followed by the South Jersey Coaches Meet on Jan. 3 at Haverford College in Pennsylvania.

Back is the high jump relay team of senior Angelo Lilla and sophomore Tim Boeni, a tandem which was second in the Group IV meet. Boeni started practices late because he played football.

Sophomores Panuska will count on include Matt Kay and Ryan Morris, who can run anywhere from 200 to 800 meters; hurler Shaun Venerable; and long jumper Joe Marchetti, who competed only outdoors last spring.

Tristan Bennett, a junior, looks like the top sprinter. Wayne Neidermeier, a junior who threw the shot put outdoors last spring, is out for the indoor season and has looked strong, but Panuska is still looking for a comparable partner to complement Neidermeier on the relay.

Frank Donnelly, a junior, is out for the first time and can run the 400 or 800.

As for the relays in running events, Panuska feels optimistic.

"We’ll be hurting in the distance medley, where we lost some key guys, but the 4x800 on down should be pretty decent," said Panuska.

Panuska says it may be tough for his team to compete with South Jersey powers like the three Toms River high schools, Washington Township, Eastern, Willingboro and Camden, but hopes that they can be ready by Feb. 4 to make an impact in the Shore Conference Meet.