2004 SPF Outdoor Boys Track Review

Indoors and outdoors, Brian Kopnicki and Sean Smith were the main stories of an otherwise lackluster season for Scotch Plains track this year. The two picked up where they left off from an outstanding indoor season and were proficient in so many events they could have almost won dual meets by themselves.

Kopnicki, a senior and Smith a junior were consistent contributors as the Raiders kept their 22 year dual meet unbeaten streak intact with a 3-0 record. Kopnicki was the team’s top runner in the distance events and in an unusual twist, the triple jump, where he was conference champion and placed in almost every meet. Smith was the county champ in the high jump, second in the 400 intermediate hurdles and was also the Raiders’ best high hurdler, javelin thrower and 400 meter runner. They won six events between them, pacing the Raiders to their 13th conference title in the last 14 years.

While there were many individual and team successes this season, Jeff Koegel, who shares coaching duties with former Scotch Plains star Rich McGriff, is well aware of the powerful track tradition the Raiders have established.
“It wasn't too long ago that we would win the conference, the county relays, counties and the sectionals,” said Koegel.
“We're not as good as we were then, but we're looking to work through that and return to that level. In the meantime, we were able to develop a lot of young talent, but at the same time, get some outstanding performances from our seasoned veterans.

Koegel did not hesitate when naming Kopnicki the outstanding runner this year.
“He's the best distance runner I have ever coached, and his performances speak for themselves,” said Koegel.

“He went from 2:03, 4:34, and 9:51(last year) to 1:57, 4:17, and 9:29. I still think he has room to grow as a runner, as he was just starting to break through this season,“ said Koegel of Kopnicki who will be running next year at the College of New Jersey.

“TCNJ is definitely getting a steal in him. Had he performed like this a year ago, he would have gotten much more attention in the recruiting process,” said Koegel.

Smith’s versatility gives Koegel a good cornerstone to build from next year.
“We have to see how Sean develops through next winter. We have been discussing
having him do something else instead of throwing the javelin, since he isn't
quite at the level there that he can make it out of the sectionals, “ said Koegel.

“He is, however, very competitive in the conference in that event, so if we're going to take him out of the javelin, we have to find someone else who can fill the points we'll lose there in the dual meets and the conference meet. We know he'll definitely be hurdling and high jumping, but everything else is up in the air ,” added Koegel.

Koegel is heartened by an outstanding freshman group that included distance runner Mike Miller, sprinter Kyle Rowbotham and pole vaulter Tom Pennella who jumped 12 feet after having never vaulted before this spring. In addition to Pennella, sophomore Max Carow jumped 12 feet six inches.

“I think our pole vault program has come a long way in the past year, and Pete Kane (SPFHS '98, 15'0" vaulter at TCNJ) has done a phenomenal job with them ,” said Koegel.

“We need more sprinters on both sides, and I think for the first time since I started coaching in the spring of 1997, we may be hurting for depth in the boys' distance events. We also need more throwers ,” said Koegel. The top discus thrower, football star Tim Karis will be graduating after winning the conference championship.

In addition to Karis and Kopnicki the Raiders will also lose sprinter Josh Liss and distance runner Zack McGuire. After an outstanding junior season, McGuire looked primed to have a great senior season, winning the Fanwood Contact We Care 5K last August. But injuries limited McGuire’s performances throughout cross country and track seasons.

“The graduation of Brian and Zack will hit me personally. I have coached them both for three seasons a year for four years, plus the summers. Those who attempt to step up will have large shoes to fill.,” said Koegel.

Despite the losses Koegel is confident that the Raiders will elevate back to their usual standards in the next few years.
“ Track isn't about practicing plays. It's about training the body and improving one's physiology in order to perform better. Track and field events are the purest form of human competition. How fast can you run? How high or far can you jump? How strong are you,” said Koegel.

Our kids are lucky in that among the six coaches, we have done every event in high
school track and field .”.