“We graduated some great kids who are participating in track and field at the next level, but our returning athletes are more than prepared to take on their role as team leaders and point-getters.”

Most notably for the boys, Warren returns Parker Anderson (throws), Sam Lindell (distance), Johnny Corbett (sprints), Lucas Douvlos (throws) and Matt Sowa (distance).

“These guys were all point-scorers for us last year and they will be looking to increase their role this season,” said Dustin.

For the girls team, the Dragons have a ton of returning point-scorers in Morgan Alexander (distance), Lilly Newton (sprints/mid-distance), Maddie Nosel (sprints), Lindsay Madigan (sprints/jumps), Alexia Bowers (sprints/hurdles), Aurora Feaster (throws), Laney Gatto (jumps/sprints) and Tori McMichael (sprints).

File Photo As a freshman in 2023, Lilly Newton finished second in the 400 meters at the District 10 meet and was 24th in the state at the PIAA 2A meet.

“We also have a lot of new faces out this year that I expect to contribute immediately, but time will tell,” said Dustin. “We have certainly added some depth in all departments and I’m excited to see what our new members can do. As usual, kids are full of surprises and usually outperform their own expectations.

“Our expectations for the team and athletes pretty much always remain the same,” he said. “Learn the sport, enjoy the sport, and be as successful as you can be in the sport. As a team, we strive to win meets and region championships. As individuals, we want to qualify as many as possible for the D10 championship meet and then qualify as many from that meet on to the PIAA state championships.

“Mentality-wise, we are really preaching hard work and dedication,” added Dustin. “We are trying to teach kids how being an athlete requires focus and commitment to bettering yourself every day, and making the right choices to do that. We really encourage that, when they are participating in track and field, they develop these skills and then take that with them into their other sports and into their daily lives. Athletics is really great at teaching you that hard work pays off, among many other lessons, and we want kids to learn that, no matter what level they are currently at. Track and field is great for that because it is so quantifiable, and I think the kids really enjoy tracking their own progress.”

Teams in Warren’s region are Eisenhower, Youngsville, Union City and Seneca.

“Last year, it came down to having to beat Seneca for region titles where the girls came out ahead and the boys fell just short,” said Dustin. “Going into this year, we are focused on those meets and preparing to compete at our best to go after the region honors. We really want to encourage people to come down to War Memorial Field and support these great hard working kids and help cheer them on.

“We have an excellent staff that works really well together with these kids to keep them engaged, keep them motivated, and keep them goal-oriented,” said Dustin. “They are absolutely instrumental in the team’s success year after year.”

Dustin focuses on distance/mid-distance; Cody Bupp sprints/hurdles; Michelle Johnson sprints/jumps; Tanner Rosenberg sprints/relays; Steve Onufer throws; Mark Sweet javelin; and Joe Sanford pole vault.

For the boys team, freshmen include Noah Bleech, Matthew Gates, Gavin Heeter, Christopher Orth, Landen Pritzl, Cory Ristau, Amari White, Sam White, Reed Wilson, and Adam Yeager; sophomores, Blake Albaugh, Tommaso Clemente, Logan Crissey, Cole English, Alexander Gulnac, Andrew Haight, Tyson Harkins, Andrew Heffern, Ryan Kemery, Ryan Letko, Jacob McMeans, Jack Monroe, Parker Mowrey, Scott Nichols, Quin Norris, Patrick Ross, Johnny San Andres, Wyatt Stearns, and Luc Wilkins; juniors, Jordan Cameron, Lionel Chapel, Douglas Harkins, Dylan Harkins, Logan Kramer, Sam Lindell, and Devin Vantassel; and seniors, Parker Anderson, Johnny Corbett, Lucas Douvlos, Henry Egner, and Matt Sowa.

For the Lady Dragons, freshmen are Peyton Arthurs, Violet Brooker, Bella Campbell, Adison Cullers, Mara Dussia, Leona Hovan, Paiden Johnson, Brynn Norris, Gracie Page, Emma Peterson, Addison Ristau, and Catherine Schmitt; sophomores, Morgan Alexander, Brady Caudill, Morgan Ceriola, Kaylee Cyphert, Sophia Davis, Riley Evan, Cayci Kramer, Lilly Newton, Madelyn Nosel, Zoe Rodgers, and Lillian Stanley; juniors, Shalynn Barbera and Lindsay Madigan; and seniors, Alexia Bowers, Aurora Feaster, Kylie Fehlman, Laney Gatto, Desirea Matsock, Tori McMichael, Autumn Mihm, Hannah Pearson, Hailey Peterson, Katrina Seamens, and Paris Sivak.