As spring sports begin, the head coach from many of Township’s teams was asked for some of their thoughts going into the season. Here are their responses looking forward to the first week of competition.
Track & Field
Head Coach: Robin Shugarts
Assistant Coaches: Chris Houck, Bliss Strauss, Adam Konsavage, Courtney German and Jason Lyons
Volunteer Coaches: Jamie Stevens and Logan Miller
What was your record last year?
The boys and girls were both 3-3 in the regular season. The boys team placed second out 23 at Leagues, fifth out of 73 at Districts, and 43rd out of 299 at States. The girls placed seventh out of 23 at Leagues, 17th out of 73 at Districts, and 39th out of 299 at States.
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Girls Team – Elena Barrall, Emily Edelman, Sarah Ebersole and Kaila Atteberry
Boys team – Adam Kingston, Cole Stevens and Ethan Peffley.
We also have a lot of young athletes that might surprise the league with their performances.
How would you describe the current mindset of the team?
The coaches and athletes are focused on improving throughout the season while having fun and building a good team dynamic.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
Our main goal is to have a fun season with a lot of great individual performances. I think both teams are capable of placing top three or better at the league meet and top ten or better at the district meet. We would also like to have a lot of athletes compete at the state meet and hopefully come away with multiple medals.
How would you describe one component of the team’s strategy to accomplish these goals this season?
Focusing on individual training and staying healthy. For athletes to continue to improve and compete in the postseason they need to stay injury free throughout the regular season.
Baseball
Head Coach: Matthew Kirchoff
Assistant Coaches: Andy Paine, Pete Andrelczyk and Chris McCarthy
What was your record last year?
18-7
LL League Champions
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Braden Leed
Angelo Billiard
Alex Miller
Jacob Carrasco
Tyler Shirk
How would you describe the current mindset of the team?
Just preparation, and build. Build each day for the season, and don’t let a day go to waste
What are the team’s goals for the season?
Win the week. Each week is a series, so we try and win the week.
How would you describe one component of the team’s strategy to accomplish these goals this season?
Pitch well, field well and timely hitting.
Softball
Head Coach: Terry Bender
Assistant Coaches: Mark Fruchtl, Carrie Bryant and Julianna Leuders
What was your record last year?
Our record last year was 11-11 overall and 9-6 in league play.
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
All players play a pivotal role on the team starting with our five talented and experienced seniors. Our senior class is led by Ava Stern, our three-year starting pitcher and Sara Hess, a top catcher in the LL league. Ashley Bryant, Ellie Comerford and Mya Zeigler round out the senior class and they will anchor key positions at 1B, 3B and the outfield.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
We recently identified team goals as follows: 1. win the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship and 2. win at least two district games which will qualify us for states. The team is focused and driven for this success.
How would you describe one component of the team’s strategy to accomplish these goals this season?
The team identified several key components which would drive success. A few examples that were identified include staying positive, practicing hard, focusing on improving, having confidence and providing support to teammates.
Girls Lacrosse
Head Coach: Coleen Parmer
Assistant Coaches: Michele Cavallaro and Emily McBride
What was your record last year?
Record 21-4
LL League Section 1 Champions
LL League Champions
District 3 Champions
State Semifinalist (lost 4-5 in double OT to eventual State Champion, Conestoga in double)
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
We have 8 returning starters/all-stars from last season.
| 2024 FIRST TEAM LL SECTION 1 ALL-STARS | 2024 SECOND TEAM LL SECTION 1 ALL-STARS |
| Jr. Defender, Toby Bergstrom (UMD Lax Commit) | Sr. Defender, Kamille Bagapuro (LVC Lax Commit) |
| Sr. GK, Leah Cramer (Shippensburg Lax Commit) | Jr. Midfielder, Lexie Kauffman (ECU Lax Commit) |
| Sr. Defender, Ally Mulholland (Bryant Soccer Commit) | Sr. Midfielder, Rose Montgomery (Mount St. Mary’s Lax Commit) |
| Jr. Midfielder, Alivian Parmer (All American Honors)(UNC Lax Commit) | |
| Jr. Attacker, Regan Taylor (Colgate Soccer Commit) |
How would you describe the current mindset of the team?
Our team is ready to work, focused on our goals and what it takes to achieve those goals and we are having fun along the way.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
Every year our team strives to be a state contender. We set our sights on winning the section, the league and the district as well. We are focused on what it takes to be the best team we can be. We are working hard at practices to improve our overall game and we are having fun along the way.
How would you describe one component of the team’s strategy to accomplish these goals this season?
We want to stick with our team first mentality that helps us run a balanced offense and a confident defense. We also want to continue to develop our team chemistry throughout the season.
Boys Lacrosse
Head Coach: Daniel Lyons
Assistant Coaches: Mark McCracken and Jeremy Adams
What was your record last year?
18-5, LL Section 1 Champions, LL League Tournament Champions, PIAA District 3 Runner-Up, PIAA State Playoff Quarterfinalist
Which athletes are playing a pivotal role in leading the team this year?
Simon Bowen and Jackson Pfitzenmaier return as captains from last year, with the potential for other students to be elected to join them as captains. We are also looking forward to some of our juniors to establish a vocal presence and begin to grow into a larger role.
How would you describe the current mindset of the team?
In the words of one of our seniors, “this has been the best first week of practice I can remember.” There is a lot of positive energy from the returning players as well as a ton of enthusiasm and hunger from a large and talented freshmen class.
What are the team’s goals for the season?
Our team likes to consider two different types of goals: process goals and outcome goals. Our outcome goals are always the same every year: win the section, win the league, compete for districts and states. More important than those however are our process goals: 100% academic eligibility and living our core values on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
How would you describe one component of the team’s strategy to accomplish these goals this season?
If every student can show up with the “glad to be here” mindset every day, we will be successful regardless of what the scoreboard says at any particular moment.
