Defending Champ Isaac Dunkelberger is healthy,
and ready to go.
By Don Rich, with research by Aaron Rich
Last year's champion Isaac Dunkelberger, of Tamaqua, will be a senior. And like Sarah Morrison, he missed his spring season because of mono. A January head cold went to his chest. He never recovered and in March was diagnosed. Although he came back to race his league meet, a mere three days of training was not enough to salvage his season. So he started his summer training three weeks earlier than normal, hit a couple of 100 mile weeks, and is now back in the 70's. "Last year I backed off to the 90's, but this year with the lower milage, I have added intensity." Dunkelberger says the lost season and a disappointing race at Foot Locker Northeast last year are serving as motivation for his final cross campaign. He likes the idea of a tough course for states. "Hills and strength are in my favor." He'll race Great American again this year, and then face a great group at Carlisle. He wants to defend his title, but he's aiming for a great showing in New York the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Avonworth senior Lucas Zarzeczny will be gunning for the championship as well after a second place finish last year (Avonworth and Northgate compete as AAA together for T&F, but separately in AA for cross country.) After Dunkelberger and Zarzeczny, the field seems wide open. Several athletes looking for a return trip to the top 10 are Ben Hahn, Smethport; Travis Dean, Westmont Hilltop; and Mark Bucklaw, Lakeland. Joining the mix could be Meyersdale senior Mike Podlesnik, who won the 1600 state title in 4:18.64. Some top 10 hopefuls include Mike Stone, Wyomissing; Tim Wertner, Greencastle; Mike May, Bishop O'Hara; Nate Lovitt, Wyomissing; Matt Norwood, Devon Prep; and Mike Stolar, Mercyhurst Prep. However, there could be a mid-pack runner or two who put the work in this summer and will surprise us all in November.
For many teams, losing two of your top five from a state championship team would create some glitches. But coaches we've talked to don't believe that defending champion PA#10 Scranton Prep will be affected like others. And that assumption is based on recent history. Since showing up on the radar in 1999 with a 7th place finish, they have won the title five times, going three straight from 2000 until 2002, slipping to 9th in 2003, and then winning the past two years. They have four seniors at the front. They have athletes who have been waiting for their chance, including last year's #6 and #7 runners. Winning has become a habit at Scranton Prep, and there is no reason to think it won't continue for the District 2 power. Two of the teams who were closest to them in 2005, Ellwood City (2nd) and Northeast Bradford (4th), had major graduations. Ellwood City of District 7 will be without Jake Walker and three others from their scoring five; while Northeast Bradford of District 4 also lost 4 of 5. Last year's 3rd place finisher, Devon Prep of District 1, returns 3 of their top five, lead by senior Matt Norwood. Also look for top five noise from York Suburban, 6th in 2005, and fellow District 3 team Lancaster Mennonite, who was 6th. York Suburban returns 4 of 5 including their top 3, while Lancaster Mennonite only loses their #2 runner from their top 7. From District 11, a Isaac Dunkelberger-lead Tamaqua squad returns 3 of their top 5 and 5 of 7. They were 7th in 2005. And a team mentioned by those in the know say watch for District 2's Bishop O'Hara, which was 10th in 2005. They return their top 3 and 4 of 5. With another runner stepping up, they could even challenge Scranton Prep.
Defending team champs Scranton Prep only lose two.
And they have won 5 of the last 6.
Luke Zarzeczny should provide tough competition for Dunkelberger
