BERNE — The Berne-Knox-Westerlo track team is continuing to expand in both participants and athletic quality, even with changes at the top of the program.

Seventy-five athletes have come out for the team this spring, which exceeds last year’s high-water mark.

 The BKW team has the challenge of welcoming two new head coaches. Scott Hannay takes over the boys’ team and Bill Dergosits will take on the girls’ team responsibilities.

Bill Tindale, the previous head coach, has stepped down for this season, as has girls’ coach Sean O’Brien.

Tindale led the track team for the past 12 years, and established the Bulldogs as one of the top programs in the Western Athletic Conference. Tindale plans on continuing his duties as head coach of the cross-country team.

Tindale said that he wanted to spend more time with his family. He has two young sons, ages 4 and 7.

“I feel this is the right time,” Tindale said. “We have a great staff that knows track and is great with kids. I feel confident in them, and that is another reason, I felt like it was a good time to step aside.”

Erin Wilbur and Tim Service will be assistant coaches while David Funk and Amber Lape will coach the modified teams.

The girls’ team is the defending Western Athletic Conference champion, and looks to challenge for the league title again. BKW’s mid and long-distance group will be led by senior Ada Lauterbach. “Ada is dominant in the distance races, and will score big wins in our large invites this year,” said Hannay.

Joining her will be Christina Bartonicek, and new athletes to the varsity team.

In the sprints, BKW has lost a few athletes. Returning veterans Alyssa Wetterau, Anna Kusler, and Kristine Skinner will form the nucleus of the sprinter-jumper core.

“Alyssa is versatile, and can compete in the pentathlon, jumps, sprints, and relays,” said Hannay. “Anna and Kristine are both accomplished long jumpers, and hurdlers.”

In the throws, seniors Allyson Bates and Ruby Moseby will be joined by sophomore Faith Carney. “This group will dominate in the WAC dual meets, and will place well in our invitationals,” said Hannay. The real unknown factor for the girls’ team is the large contingent of new freshmen and sophomores running track for the first time.

“The key to the season’s success will be determining their strength and developing a few new scorers that will contribute towards winning close meets. With a few good surprises, the girls’ team should continue their successful ways on the road to sectionals.”

The boys’ team is poised to assert itself on the WAC league in 2008.

“There is a core group of boys who started in the modified team in 2004 who have stayed together, and now they are ready to make some noise in Section II,” said Hannay. The team’s other strength is the strong cross-country team that won the WAC last fall. All of the members of this team will continue with the track team this spring. 

Distance specialist, Jared Finke, returning from mononucleosis last fall, will look to close out his senior year in good fashion. Dave Haverly, WAC cross-country champion, will continue to improve his running, and should compete well in the 1500 and steeplechase events. said Hannay. Connor Devine is a new contender for the BKW distance crew, coming off a strong cross-country season. Tom Dellarocco, Jeff Moller,  and Aaron Giebitz will round out the returning distance runners.

In the throws, BKW returns junior Greg Hannay, along with several new boys who will join the throwers’ group. “Hannay will threaten school records in the shot and discus, and possibly other events’” said Coach Hannay, who is Greg’s father. “ He has trained off-season and is ready to put up top marks in the section.”

In the sprints, BKW has a herd of guys all vying for spots in the 100, 200, and 400m races. With 40-plus boys, many are looking to be sprinters, and find spots in the relays. This will create a lot of intra-squad competition, and will be good for practice and dual meets, said Hannay.

Senior Pat Whitney specializes in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, and will find support from Matt Von Haugg, and Curtis Clark among others.

Josh Glick will handle pole-vault duties for the team. “He should be pushing the school record up a few more notches,” said Hannay. Zach Krimsky will be a triple jumper for the team, and he has made good improvements in his speed and strength, the coach said.

Keith Cunningham will return as the team’s best long jumper, and will assist in the sprints and relays.  Tim David competes in several events, and specializes in the pentathlon.

Overall, BKW’s coaching staff are excited about both teams this year. “With good efforts, BKW should be a top sectional  contender,” said Hannay, “and should place a good-sized group of athletes at the State Qualifier in June.”