Head Coach: Mike Horvath: 3rd Year Head Varsity Coach
Assistant Coaches:
Mike Noyola: Middle School Head Coach
Dave Frederickson: Assistant Varsity
Sport: Cross Country: Cross Country
Team Name: Palmerton Blue Bombers
League: Colonial
2023 Record: Boys: 10-14 Girls: 4-20
Key Runners Lost:
Alex Saas – Graduated
Cora Wentz – Graduated
Emma Rex – Injury, will still be returning to team in a managerial role and as Team Captain
Key Returning Runners:
Sean Jahelka – Lone Senior this season from the 2022 District Championship Team. Hopeful to provide leadership and end XC career with his best season yet.
Connor Hibell – Junior, Reigning Individual League and District Champion/State Qualifier, and potential team captain. Looking to remain at the top and improve on an already impressive career thus far.
Shane Bollinger – Junior who joined later last season, looking forward to seeing the benefits of hard work during summer workouts and what a full season of cross country feels like.
Gavin Wininger and Ezra Green – Two Juniors who are always in attendance during preseason workouts and potential key factors in filling out the top 5 male varsity runners.
Kamarrah Saslo and Payten Fornaro – Newcomers last season, but now these two Juniors find themselves in veteran positions on the team. Looking to keep getting PRs, move up in the pack, and find that fifth girl to improve upon the Lady Bombers’ record last season.
Key Newcomers: Marshall Saslo – The now Freshman was a promising middle school runner whose shown potential. Looking to push Senior Sean Jahelka and stay with phenom Connor Hibell.
Cassidy Merkel and Bella Lombardi – Track athletes whose joy for running has carried over to XC. The team is grateful to have them and they’re excited to see what they can bring to help the team, while enjoying the experience.
2024 Outlook:
Strengths: Small, but mighty group of student athletes.
Question Marks: How far will a few individuals push themselves to possibly accomplish success?
