Consistency has been a major theme for the boy’s track and field program over the past 10-plus years. Take a look at how long the coaching staff has been together.
The Pirates boy’s track and field team has been led by head coach Dan Fourney and company for 12 years now. That is definitely the definition of consistency.
“I’ve been head coach for 12 years and we’ve had the same coaching staff for all 12 years,” Fourney said. “Four coaches have been together for 12 years. That’s the key. We all know how each other works and everyone knows what’s to be expected. I think the key is having the four coaches together for 12 years and the program kind of runs itself.”
It also helps that the program has had quite a collection of stellar athletes pass through the gates to the stadium every spring. Don’t expect anything different when the season opens on Saturday, April 2 at the Hall of Fame Meet in Maple Shade.
This season could mark one of the best in recent memory for the boy’s track and field program. There does not seem to be a weakness anywhere on the track or in the field, despite losing some very talented athletes to graduation last spring in triple jumper Emmanuel Udotong and Group 2 shot put state champion Ryan Addlesberger.
Building off of their success from last season, the Pirates hope 2016 brings even bigger victories. Cinnaminson won the Patriot title at the BCSL meet and took home the regular season crown with a 5-0 record against Patriot opponents.
The Pirates also won the first-ever small school title at the BC Open, coming in second overall behind Rancocas Valley.
Fourney is excited to see what the program can do this year, but is particularly excited for the distance portion.
“For Burlington County, for the top returnees, we have the fastest 800 returner and the third-fastest 3200 returner. We have two sophomores who are really coming along. They had good cross country seasons. We have three of the top returnees in South, Group 2.”
Cinnaminson also boasts the fastest returnees in every distance event when it comes down to Patriot meets.
The squad returns Mike Ungvarsky, Tom Long and Steven Liu among others. All three athletes competed during the winter track season.
“The kids are getting quality coaching all winter long,” Fourney said. “I like that they are in the routine, so when it comes springtime, they don’t miss a beat. They just continue where they were indoor. If they have a good season in the winter, that confidence is high and they work harder because they see the success from the work they put in.”
The Pirates field events will be strong once again this year, especially the high jump, pole vault and long jump.
“Freshman Rashad Raymond, who set the middle school record in the high jump last year, almost broke his PR in a scrimmage this spring,” Fourney said. “He’s probably going to be our top high jumper. The way he’s looking, he could be one of the best in the county as a freshman.”
Cinnaminson opens its Patriot title defense against Pemberton on Tuesday, April 12. The five-meet divisional schedule is rounded out with Delran, Bordentown, Maple Shade and Holy Cross.
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