10 Things To Watch For This Spring Season

Ithaca Times

Who's ready for spring?

I feel like I've written some form of that sentence for the last month, but even if it doesn't feel like it yet, spring is here this week. Baseball, softball, tennis, track, golf and lacrosse - and more importantly, watching sports outside - are upon us.

I'm really excited to finally dive into this spring season. There is going to be some great action and drama over the next few months, and here are 10 things that will be on my radar as the games go on.

10. How will new coaches handle their debut season?

Looking at you, Tyler Mattoon, head Groton baseball coach. Your team is coming off a 1-14 season and it's your job to build this program back up. How will the Indians bounce back? How will your team handle the what should be an up-and-down season as you go into baseball recovery? It's never easy trying to rebound from a disappointing season, but it's even harder to have to do it while hitting the reset button.

9. What will Dryden and Candor golf do after winning seasons?

These two teams are sure to be on peoples radar in the golf world. Candor took home the division championship last season and returns five seniors. They have the experience at the name-recognition to go far, and will surely be a tough team come playoff time. Similarly, Dryden went 15-1 last season with an IAC division title. They will be bringing back IAC All-Stars Jonathan Becker and Aleks Schuler. But with a full bench of underclassmen, they are experienced and young at the same time. Lansing and Trumansburg are two teams that will be looking to take them down.

8. How about those colleges down the road?

At the time of writing this, Cornell lacrosse is still undefeated and ranked number two in the nation. Ithaca College baseball started out ranked No. 5 in the spring preseason polls. Both teams are supposed to be the programs of their schools, but will they be able to carry that preseason momentum hype into real success? Cornell looks to have another strong season following solid months in hockey and wrestling. 

7. Who's going to make a state impact?

Spencer-Van Etten's Isaac Moore is coming off a state qualification in cross-country and looks to extend that run into track and field. The sprinter and relay runner is hoping his make an big impact for the Panthers this year. Candor's track and field program also had several athletes in state's last year and are hoping to see Kevin Hollenbeck and Tyler Hallett, among others, in the big meet. Lansing's Anders Presthus and Dylan Bland also made the state qualifiers last season.

6. Who will stop Trumansburg track?

Here's a school that has a history of dominating track and field programs and will be returning seniors that led them to an IAC title this past winter in indoor. They will be looking to continue their run. But with Candor, Spencer-Van Etten and Lansing coming off big years, will they overtake the Blue Raiders?

5. How will winless teams improve?

They really don't have a choice: you go oh-and-anything, you have to get a little better. South Seneca and Candor baseball both won a combined zero games, and both will be hoping to see improvement this year. South Seneca has a list of key returning players that will help their experience and leadership, while Candor will start the year healthier after battling injuries all last season. Teamwork and attitude will be key to avoid the dreaded winless season.

4. How will Dryden lacrosse compete in a stacked Class C?

Our only high school lacrosse team plays a difficult schedule and will have their hands full in a fairly difficult class. Johnson City went 18-1 last season, while Chenango Forks won 13 games. Dryden, coming off a 9-11 season last year, is hoping to improve, but that won’t be an easy feat going against some of these tough south schools.

3. Can Trumansburg baseball live up to the hype?

Here’s a team that is based all on potential, but has enough to make people believe they are the real deal. You can read much more about the Raiders in this week's feature story, but here’s a team I think will make a huge impact on the field.

2. Will Lansing baseball extend their dynasty?

The best baseball program of the last few years is going through a rebuilding season. This is good news to the county, but that doesn’t mean Lansing is ready to throw in the towel. With just two returning starters from the sectional runner-ups, Lansing is not longer that feared team they once were. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be in a few games.

1. Who’s going to win it all?

Will it be Trumansburg baseball? Candor golf? Spencer-Van Etten track? Lansing tennis? Dryden lax? All of our teams have a real chance to make an impact this season, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it all unfold. I’ll say it again, I’m ready for spring.