Penn Manor has hired Nick Loreto who takes over after a successful run with Conestoga Valley. Coach Loreto takes over a Comets program that has struggled in recent years and competes in one of the tougher sections in the state. Coach knows the tall task at hand and is looking forward to the challenge. He stopped by to discuss that among a few other topics:

Carl Frederick: You have years of coaching experience, what prompted you to take on the Penn Manor Job?

Nick Loreto: The main reason is applied is because I live in the district and have ties to a lot of families that are involved with the program. I am just hoping to bring some stability and help the team be more competitive on a local level to start with the end goal being competitive on the district and state level.

Carl Frederick: Sitting in a section with the likes of McCaskey, Hempfield and Manheim Township, what has your message been to your squad so far?

Coach Loreto: There are some really good teams and athletes in the LL League, specifically in section 1. We are just going to focus on what we can control and that is our own performances. I think to even compete with those teams our main goals must be to get better each day and focus on the details. We’ll see how things fall once we get into the meets.

CF: Are they any under the radar names we should keep an eye come the Spring season?

Coach Loreto: It’s probably still a little to early to tell but I am happy with how things are going with our winter practices. The turnout has been good (about 60 kids) so that is very encouraging. We only started on 1/3 so we are only a few practices in but I think we will have some athletes to keep an eye on. Check back with me in a few weeks.

CF: Your reputation is well respected amongst the LL League, is there anyone in particular you go to for words of wisdom or guidance?

Coach Loreto: Obviously, I will discuss everything with my current staff that has very experienced coaches on it, Joe Herman, Dave Hess and Kevin Kabakjian. I still talk to the coaches at CV almost daily and I consider some of the best coaches in the area, if not in the state, Rick Periandi and Steve Banh. In addition to them, Derek Jennings at McCaskey is another coach that I will bounce ideas off of.

CF: Coming from Conestoga Valley to Penn Manor what has been the biggest adjustment for you and your family?

Coach Loreto: For me personally it has been different just getting to know a new coaching staff and kids. I was at CV for a long time and coached with the same people for years so that has been a small adjustment. For my family, it’s probably been easier because I am closer since I live in the district. Time to get home or to one of my sons’ practices is cut down so that helps for sure.

CF: Give us a fun fact about Coach Loreto that our audience may not know?

Coach Loreto: I was state runner up in the long jump in 1998 while competing for Lancaster Catholic.

Any track coach will tell you getting your kids involved in the winter season is tricky, the fact that Coach Loreto has so many kids already bought in is an encouraging sign.