EDITORS NOTE: Continuing series of winter high school previews to appear in The Citizen.

Six local teams have kicked off their 2002-2003 boys indoor track seasons. Below is a glance at each of the schools:

Southern Cayuga

IAC, Class C

Coach: Bill Mullarney

Kyle Powers heads a solid group of middle and long-distance runners for the Chiefs. Senior Kurt Doering looks to be stronger and faster than last season, and newcomers Peter Kopp and John Troy will also contribute right away.

Southern Cayuga also looks strong in middle and distance categories. Rick Lader, the top cross country runner in Section IV, should be a factor in the 1,000- and 3,200-meter races.

Union Springs

IAC, Class C

Coach: Mark Gaffney

The Wolves will be a young team this year, and Gaffneys top priority will be getting the team to improve as the season goes along.

Among the top returnees are Ryan OHara, who qualified for the state meet in the 600 meter, and sectional qualifiers Mike Bona and Dan Foster. One newcomer to watch is Cheol Kessler.

This ought to be the strongest boys team weve had, Mullarney said. We cover most events with quality athletes, with sectional contenders in a number of events.

Moravia

IAC, Class C

Coach: Jan Hunsinger

Like the Wolves, the Blue Devils will be short on experience. Three runners who competed in the state meet last year have graduated.

Moravias strength will be in the throwing events, with Nate Phelps, Josh Page, and Pete Olszewski. Newcomer Alex Lubitz, a German foreign exchange student, gives the Blue Devils a solid distance runner.

Skaneateles

OHSL, Class C

Coach: Jack Reed

The Lakers have some depth in the middle distances. Seniors K.C. Reed and Adam Evans, along with sophomore Steve Corsello are capable 400-800 meter runners. Rob Taylor will be used for 800-1,600 meter races. The team lacks a pure sprinter.

Auburn

OHSL , Class A

Coach: Al Wilson

Auburn has a young team, but with 23 runners it also has one of the deepest its ever had. Wilson expects the Maroons to be much improved over last season.

John Bommersbach and Shilah Richardson lead a solid jumping unit, and Matt Feocco, Sean Wilson, and Greg Felter should contribute in the distance races. Auburn will also have pole vaulters for the first time in recent memory, with Joe Robinson and John Betts competing in the event.

EDITORS NOTE: The Citizen did not receive information from Jordan-Elbridge for this story.