BERNE — Interest is booming in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo track team.

What could be a record number of athletes have come out for the team this spring. With 71 students, BKW Coach Bill Tindale doesn’t know all of them yet.
"If it’s not the biggest, it’s one of the biggest teams I’ve had in 12 years," the coach said. "I can’t even tell you about a bunch of the kids. I haven’t seen what a lot of the new kids bring in. But it is about an even split between guys and girls."

The team has 71 total members between boys and girls.
"It’s a great turnout," Tindale said. "I expect good things out of a lot of the kids."

Another reason why Tindale doesn’t know all his athletes, is because the team hasn’t been outside on the track much this spring.
"We had one good day over vacation last week," Tindale said. "We were at Fonda on Wednesday. That was one bright spot. But the kids’ attitudes are great. There haven’t been any complaints. But they are eager to get started."

Girls

The girls’ team will rely on some familiar runners this season.

Ada Lauterbach, a top small-school cross-country runner in the area, will lead the Lady Bulldogs on the track this season.

She set the school record in the steeple chase at the Fonda meet. She ran the race in 7:53.9 to surpass the mark set by Sarah Domermuth, who is now running for Division I Marist College.
"She is looking very, very strong," Tindale said. "She has some big races that she is looking to. And I think she will break several school records."

Sarah Hannay, a senior, will be entered in the throwing events this spring.
"She will be doing good in the shot and the discus," Tindale said. "Her dad has been coaching her. She is one of the team leaders. She takes care of a lot of the little things. I think she will have a big season for us."

Hannay’s father, Scott, is a repeat medalist in the javelin at the Empire State Games.

Amber Pitcher is in her first year on the varsity, but big things are expected from her.
"She will run the 400 and 800 [meter]," Tindale said. "She is a natural athlete. She has a good work ethic. She has a chance to break some records.
"The 400 record has been around for 20 years," Tindale added. "Amber has a chance to break it."

The Bulldogs also have a strong core of athletes returning this year.

Michelle DellaRocco and Sarah Raymond are long-distance runners and leaders of the team.
"They are strong runners," Tindale said. "They will have a good season."

Christina Bartonicek will also run long-distance races like the 1,500 meters.
"She’ll score in the big invitationals," Tindale said.

Alyssa Wetterau is the best all-around athlete on the team,

Tindale said.
"She finished fifth in the pentathlon at Fonda and that was against some big schools," Tindale said. "She’ll place in a lot of meets. She’ll do the pole vault, the jumps, and 100-meter hurdles."

Anna Kusler will be a hurdler and triple jumper for the Lady Bulldogs.
"She’s a good athlete," Tindale said. "She also has a great attitude and is great to be around."

Cara Swain, a phenomenal soccer player for BKW, is coming out for track for the first time.
"Every year, we have a soccer player that comes out for the team for the first time," Tindale said. "And then they are good. Cara will be like that. She’ll compete in the sprint relays."

Kristine Skinner, a ninth-grader, will be a hurdler this spring.
"She is a good hurdler," Tindale said. "Even as a freshman, she will be good."

Jessica Squires and Sabrina Stoutt will be sprinters for BKW this year.
"They’re good sprinters," Tindale said. "This is a good team. I’m excited. I hope to start soon. Our first meet will be at the Bethlehem Invitational. It’s tough, especially for the new kids."

Boys

The boys’ team will be led by a group of distance runners from a successful cross-country team.

Jared Finke will lead the group.
"He’ll get some big times this season," Tindale said. "He wants to have some big finishes at the end of the season. We have a good distance group."

Tyler Messick and Tyler Merrill are part of that group.

Tim David is the best all-around athlete for BKW, Tindale said.
"He will do the pentathlon as well as sprints," Tindale said. "He can also be a distance runner. He’s our best athlete."

Josh Glick will be a distance runner as will Dave Haverly and Tom DellaRocco.
"He’s our best steeple-chase guy," Tindale said of Haverly. "Tom will run the two mile and is the best freshman we’ve ever had at that distance."

Sophomore Greg Hannay will do the throws for the Bulldogs this season.
"He’ll do the discus and the shot," Tindale said. "He will also hurdle for us and jump a little bit. He is the strongest athlete on the team."

Aaron Giebitz and Jeff Moller will also score points for the Bulldogs in some distance events this season.

The Bulldogs will have three good sprinters in Alan Diamond, Keith Cunningham, and Pat Whitney.
"They definitely will be tough in the 4x100 relay," Tindale said. "We’ll be good in the sprints. They will get points for us in the big meets this year."

The team has a lot of young athletes who will contribute in the future, Tindale said.
"We have a ton of young guys," he said, "and, even with the weather, they are there every day. They have a good work ethic and they will improve toward the end of the year."