vikingssportsn The Hopewell Track and Field team enters the 2026 season with its usual high expectations.
Despite graduating a strong group of seniors last year that combined to set 6 outdoor school records, the team also returns many accomplished underclassmen who can carry the torch forward and continue to rewrite the record book. Fourteen athletes return who qualified for the WPIAL Championship meet last year, and five of them already have a school record to their names.
The distance runners are led by seniors Antony Flitcraft and Madi Inderelst. Antony had a strong winter of training and is in shape to have his best season in the 1600m and 3200m. Sophomore Jack Biega showed a lot of promise during his freshman year, running 2:05 in the 800m and anchoring the 4×400 relay to a new school record. Joel Olshanski is another returning letter winner in the distance group. With some talented newcomers joining the fold, they could make a formidable 4×800 team.
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Madi Inderelst qualified for WPIAL last year in the 800m, 4x800m relay, and the girls school record 4x400m relay. She finished the winter with a personal best indoor 800m, so she is ready for a big senior season before she leaves to continue competing at Geneva College. The entire 4×800 relay returns with seniors Keira Mann, Caylee Sundy, and sophomore Skylar Elias. Skylar also had a huge winter season, taking several minutes off of her 3200m time, and setting the school record in the event.
The sprints and hurdles group also returns a large number of key contributors. Seniors Josh Brunton and Julian Baldwin are coming off of serious leg injuries but look like they will return to form. Along with fellow senior Nick Adams, they lead a deep group of speedsters who will be fighting for legs on the 4×100 and 4×400 relays that could be all-time greats.
Sophomores Nasir Wade and Tre Cameron return with anchor leg experience, and both had impressive freshman seasons in the 100m and 200m. Junior Marqwone Nakoa may be the most improved athlete from last year as he put in tremendous work over the winter and had a very good indoor season. Junior Luke McGrail is ready to continue Hopewell’s strong hurdle tradition after putting up impressive times in the 60m hurdles indoors. He will also be a player in the sprints, relays, and jumps.
On the girls’ side, senior Maya Richburg returns as one of the top 100/200m sprinters in the WPIAL. She has her sights set on the 100m school record of 12.38, which was set the year she was born. Senior Holly Biesenkamp returns as well. Junior Avery Boyd owns the curve on the 200m and the 4×100 relay. Sophomore Harley Hample had a terrific indoor season and has the potential to be a WPIAL contender in the 400m. Sophomore Tessa Burgess qualified for WPIAL last year in the 100m hurdles and looks to be even stronger after breaking the indoor 60m hurdle record this winter.
In the field events, the boys return several strong jumpers. Seniors Nick Adams and Bryce Ray are 20’+ long jumpers, and Adams is a consistent 41’+ triple jumper. Sophomore Avery Bokor was one of the top freshmen in the WPIAL last year with a 5’10” high jump and 19’ long jump.
Hopewell’s Avery Bokor
Hopewell’s Bryce Ray
Avery Boyd returns for the girls in the long and triple and will be joined by Holly Biesenkamp and Tessa Burgess. Harley Hample and Lahna Murray can have a big year in their second season of high jump.
The top javelin throwers of both the boys and girls return from last year. Senior Vinny Boris will build on his strong finish from last year for the boys. Junior Marlee Page was a WPIAL qualifier last spring and should contend for a medal this year.
Sophomore Brody Rock led the team last year with the discus and shot. He has the ability to be as good as he wants to be.
Junior Emma DiCicco returns as the girls’ top discus thrower and shot putter, along with Amelia McCloskey. Emma took a lot of first place points in the section meets last year and looks to become a contender in the invitationals this season.
Senior pole vaulter Emily Bauknight was a WPIAL qualifier last year and is determined to make it to the state meet and go after the school record of 10’3” that is currently shared by Meghan Parrish and Emily Pleslusky. The boys return junior Chris Holland and expect to have a number of promising rookies.
