Boys Winter Track

Coach: Doug Symonds

Key Players: Connor & Aidan Fogel, Anthony & David Tornambe, Sam & Matt Foster, Chase Woodeshick, Hudson Etezady

New Faces: Tymar Brickus, Billy Myers, Hernie Rivera, Jeffery Crawford

Meets to Watch:  Ocean Breeze Invitational & Meet of Champions

Outlook:

The Boys Winter Track team enters the 2025-26 season with a unique mix of returning experienced veterans, rising underclassmen, and one of the deepest distance groups that the program has had in recent years. After a strong season last winter that included a standout performance with 8 Vikings qualifying for the Meet of Champions, Head Coach Doug Symonds believes that this year’s roster has both the talent and the motivation to take another big step forward. 

Last season, the Vikings qualified in both sprint and distance events. The 4×800 squad of Anthony Tornambe, Connor Fogel, David Tornambe, and Hudson Etezady advanced to the Meet of Champions, and the sprint relay of Seth Jackson, Zyair Jones, Ron Bailey, and Erik Ramirez-Perez punched their ticket in the 4×200. Anthony Tornambe even qualified individually in the mile long event. Symonds described last season as one where “the boys were very competitive,” and he expects that same mentality to carry over this winter. 

Roster with Experience, Youth, and Potential

This winter, the team’s identity is shaped by its depth and balance. Symonds pointed out several returning leaders, especially the strong group of distance runners led by the Fogel twins (Connor and Aidan), the Tornambe twins (Anthony and David), and the Foster twins (Sam and Matt). Additionally senior Chase Woodeshick returns as a major force for the sprinters, and junior leader Hudson Etezady will once again be a strong anchor for the distance unit. 

Symonds recognizes the roster’s biggest strengths in the combination of maturity and potential. “This indoor season our strength is a good mix of veteran distance runners with a lot of young talent following them,” he said. “We also have a lot of untapped talent with our sprint and jump group this year.”

A key focus for the team this winter is the addition of several promising  runners who are expected to make an instant impact. Symonds highlighted sprinter Tymar Brickus, who is one of the fastest returners from last spring, and freshman Billy Myers, who is coming off a strong cross country season. Mid-distance freshmen Hernie Rivera and Jeffery Crawford also make the jump from the middle school program and are both expected to make big contributions early. 

What the Athletes are Saying 

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with several returning members of the team and get their perspective on the season ahead. Collectively they all shared their thoughts on what the team could bring to the track this winter, the overall vibes and connections within the group, and  how they are preparing both mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. 

Junior mid-distance runner Sam Foster described this year’s team with three words: “Potential, Focused, and Ambitious.” When talking about the progress from last year to this year he also added, “The team looks way more locked in, which is essential.” Sam truly enjoys the pre-meet routines and simple tradition, as he mentioned his usual McDonald’s trip with his friends which brings the team closer together. He noted how “People get to meet each other through warm-ups and surround themselves with a community within the sport that they are most comfortable with.”. 

Junior mid-distance runner Matt Foster described the team as: “Fun, Exciting, and Rewarding.” He explained, “I found it amusing to hang out with my team, and have a good time running while making fond memories.” He added that he looks forward to almost every practice and race day, saying, “Participating in Track has allowed me to increase my health, endurance, and feel good in my body all the time, while being able to run fast and compete with others.”

Junior leader Connor Fogel used similar words, calling the team “Ambitious, Experienced, and Potential.” Even with a smaller senior class, he said the juniors are ready to step up. Additionally he also praised the freshmen, saying it’s exciting to see them getting comfortable in the program. Connor highlighted his favorite part of the sport as he said “My favorite thing about the distance program specifically is how close we get. We spend all year with each other… it’s super special.”

Distance runner Aidan Fogel described the team as “Young, Dedicated, and Unknown,” as he explained that “there really has not been one true superstar in this team, but a lot of guys who can make some noise the next few years.” Aidan added that it’s exciting to see teammates push each other in practice and at meets, and he feels the team has built a strong chemistry for both the indoor and the upcoming outdoor season.

Hearing from multiple athletes gave me a better sense of the team’s goals, their dedication, and the excitement surrounding the upcoming meets. It was clear from their answers that the boys are focused, motivated, and ready to push each other towards new personal bests while building on the success of last season. 

Big Goals with Big Meets Ahead

The boys have some big goals this season.  Connor  Fogel is aiming to run the 800 in the mid 1:50s, which would be a huge milestone for college recruiting. Sam Foster wants to hit a 4:35 mile, and Aidan Fogel is focused on being more aggressive in the middle of his races and building confidence as the season goes on. 

When it comes to the team’s goal, Connor summed it up well as he mentioned “Trying to get either the DMR or the 4×800 to States and Nationals will be a big goal. Everyone needs to buy in and race hard.”

Some runners, including Aidan also pointed out freshman Billy Myers as someone who could qualify for Freshman Nationals.

Must See Meets

Coach Symonds highlighted 2 major showcases:

• Ocean Breeze Invitational ( Staten Island, late January)
• Meet of Champions Qualifier (UPenn’s Ott Center, February)

Players agree. Sam said “I am most excited for the Ocean Breeze … we will be running against some of the fastest people in the Northeast region.”. Matt Foster also added that Ocean Breeze is “one of the most unique competitions you get to go to.”. Hudson kept it very broad as he said “the medals are really cool”. 

The season officially opens December 13th at Lehigh University, where the Vikings will face powerhouse programs from all across Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties.

Girls Winter Track

Coach: Frank Dalton III

Key Players: Zymirah Freeman, Skylar Diamanti, Sara Coelho

New Faces: Emma Vigile, McKenna Mill, Yeliza Thompson, Pamela Castaneda Amado, Delaney Andrews

Meets to Watch:  Ocean Breeze Invitational & Meet of Champions

Outlook:

The Girls Winter Track team enters the 2025-26 season with a mix of returning talent, rising underclassmen, and one of the strongest work ethics that Head Coach Frank Dalton has seen. Last winter, the program sent multiple athletes to the Meet of Champions, including freshman sprinter Zymirah Freeman who placed 20th in the 200 meters, and senior Becca O’Neil who finished 11th in the pole vault with a height of nine feet. Although winter track does not account for wins and losses for the record, the girls’ performances showed how determined the group was, and that same mindset has carried over this year. This group of girls are determined to improve while having confidence. 

Roster with Team Chemistry:

Coach Dalton said that the biggest strength this year is the team’s work ethic, as he said “We have a special team that never backs down from a challenge.” The returning core includes three athletes who are expected to lead both on and off the track – sophomore mid-distance runner Zymirah Freeman, sophomore distance runner Skylar Diamanti, and senior mid-distance sprinter Sara Coelho. The team also added several new runners and field athletes, including Emma Vigile, McKenna Mill, Yeliza Thompson, Pamela Castaneda Amado, and Delaney Andrews. All of them have stepped up and shown good work ethic during the preseason practices. 

What the Athletes are Saying:

To get a clearer picture of the team’s mindset heading into the winter season, I reached out to several athletes to share their thoughts on the season. All of their responses highlighted just how connected this group has become and the strong bond they hold. Each runner and thrower spoke about the energy at practice, the way the team supports each other, and the confidence building up throughout the preseason. They also mentioned how they have been preparing, both mentally and physically, while talking about what they believe this year’s squad can accomplish together.

Sophomore distance runner Skylar Diamanti described the team in three words, “Hard-working, ambitious, and passionate.” When talking about the program, she said how the girls push each other through every workout and stay committed even at the most difficult practices. Skylar mentioned that she truly enjoys how everyone is so supportive as they all cheer for each other during races, which helps make the team feel close. She mentioned that her goals this season include improving her 1600 time and hopefully qualifying for the Meet of Champions. Skylar is looking forward to competing with the team and improving her times while helping everyone reach their goals this season.

Sophomore thrower Delaney Andrews described the team as “Supportive, friendly, and encouraging.”Delaney is entering the winter season after a strong spring with Javelin, where she qualified for both the PAC Championships and the New Balance Nationals as a freshman. With javelin not being offered in winter track, she’s turning her focus to shot put, but she’s looking forward to returning to javelin in the spring.  She said that even though she competes in a different event group than most, she still feels included since the girls always make an effort to cheer for one another. Delaney said she truly enjoys the positive attitude the team shows at meets. Her goals this season are to improve her shot put technique and reach over 21 feet, along with gaining more strength along the way.

Senior mid-distance runner Mia Barrett, who serves as one of the team’s leaders, described the team as “Competitive, funny, and tight-knit.” She said that the girls have grown closer during warmups and long practice days, and that the vibe this year feels more focused and connected. Mia said one of her favorite traditions is when the team prays before the 4x400s, which has become something they look forward to at every meet. She said her goals this season include running around 60 to 62 seconds in the 400 and helping the 4×400 team make a big jump. Her teammates see her as someone who leads by example, especially during the tough workouts when everyone needs a boost of energy. She also talked about how much she values the bond within the 4×4 group, saying that their trust in each other is what makes competing with them so meaningful. 

Leadership: 

As senior leaders, Sarah and Mia have taken on important leadership roles. They both felt as the team has matured compared to past seasons, and they both are excited to see what the younger athletes can bring to the table this winter. Along with personal time goals, Mia wants to help build confidence within the relay groups and encourage runners to challenge themselves. Across the roster, the girls all share a similar goal for the season. Their goal is to continue improving individually while building a stronger team culture. Many of them talked about qualifying for big postseason meets, earning personal bests, and becoming more aggressive during races. 

Must See Meets

Coach Dalton highlighted 2 major showcases:

• Ocean Breeze Invitational ( Staten Island, late January)
• Meet of Champions Qualifier (UPenn’s Ott Center, February)

 The girls agreed with this, they all mentioned how important these competitions are for the team, and they are all looking forward to giving their best and experiencing the moment as a group.

The season officially begins Tuesday, December 9th at the UPenn Ott Center, where the top athletes across the region will be competing.