Hirsch to lead Lancers again

Brookfield Central boys track coach Mark Pulkownik has 12 returning letter winners to call on this season, topped off by senior Carl Hirsch, the Lancers MVP last year and the Gatorade/ESPN Wisconsin Track Athlete of the Year.

Seniors Hirsch, Marcus Crum, Andrew Dusing, Ryan Jehly, Vantwon Melton, Brandon Meyer, Chikwa Obasih, Dan Seaman and Elliott Yanasak lead the returning letter winners, which include juniors Andrew Brath, Alex Espada-Hernandez and sophomore Johnny Dusing

"Andrew Brath came on strong at the end of last spring and has been working hard all winter long," Pulkownik said. "Alex Espada-Hernandez is a hard worker has become a good 300 hurdler. Alex Garchitorena improved in the pole vault at each meet last year."

But Pulkownik feels now is the time for his seniors to step up.

"I look forward to this coming season," he said. "The seniors have put in their time and are ready to do some great things.

"Carl Hirsch has been working very hard this winter and it showed when he ran in the Brooks PR meet in Seattle, Washington in February. He is always exciting to watch.

"Vantwon Melton has also worked hard running with a track club team and his enthusiasm for the season should take him a long way."

Pulkownik feels that Yanasak, who vaulted at state last year, should be a consistent performer and Crum, who was hurt most of last season, is also ready "for a great 2013."

Pulkownik feels Obasih, an outstanding football player who will be attending Wisconsin, can use his successful football season to carry through this track season.

"I would like to think that we will have a good season and I am excited to see what happens," the veteran coach said.

The Lancers first meet this season was at Carthage on Saturday (see sport-shorts for details).

"I was pleased with the way the season started," Pulkownik said. "While the meet ran well, we have a few things we can improve on and some of those things will come with experience.

"It was a good start to the season, but we still need to find some depth to go along with these great performances."

- Tom "Sky" Skibosh