Head coach Brandon Bronzan optimistic of great things ahead
The rain may be falling but sunny skies are ahead for the Windsor High School track team, as it readies for what should be an exciting spring campaign.
Head coach Brandon Bronzan is brimming with optimism in the first season following North Bay League realignment – and why not – considering he has some of the top athletes in the Redwood Empire to work with.
“I’m awfully excited about the talent on the team,” Bronzan said. “It really is a great group of student-athletes. We know that being placed in the NBL Oak Division means we’re going to go head-to-head with the best teams in Sonoma County but we’re embracing the challenge.”
Heading the list for the varsity boys is senior distance star Lucas Chung, the reigning 1,600 and 3,200 meter NBL champion. Chung is coming off a sensational fall cross country campaign and recently signed a letter of intent to attend Saint Mary’s College. The WHS record holder in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter distances, the sky may be the limit for Chung this season.
“He’s set some lofty goals for his senior season but with his work ethic, I wouldn’t put anything past him,” Bronzan noted. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a high school runner work as hard as Lucas.”
Also among the top returning athletes is senior Vince Corday, last year’s NBL Triple Jump champion and a third-place league finisher in the 800 meters. He’ll be joined by junior sprinter Max Sandwina (3rd place 100 meters last year), sophomore transfer Jaden Fernandez (4th in NBL), senior sprint/hurdles standout Ralph Manalac and junior distance specialists Landon McAlister and Hunter Larson. Senior brothers Scott and Casey McLaughlin will be among the league leaders in hurdles and jumping events.
The top addition to the team will be talented freshman distance runner Dustin Smith following a great cross country season.
Ladies looking to make their mark
The Lady Jaguars figure to be equally impressive this year, returning several of the league’s best in addition to a few talented newcomers.
Back to lead the team is sophomore Emily Johnson, a second-place NBL finisher in the long jump last season who went on to compete at the Meet of Champions. She’ll be joined by junior sprinter Kendall Campos, versatile junior middle distance/sprint/jumper Jayda Pignataro, senior discus/shot put standout Kaitlyn Macauley and senior distance veteran Erin O’Mara.
Freshman Lilja Chung (younger sister of Lucas), a state cross country qualifier and the NBL Redwood Division individual titlist, will give the Lady Jags a big lift in distance events.
