By Aaron Rich
Don Rich, editor
Cross Country is upon us again. There is nothing quite like this sport, fiercely competitive, challenging, and yet fun for everyone involved, from the athletes to the coaches to the parents and fans. These previews are fun to do because they give me the opportunity to look over what was accomplished last season, and what could be accomplished this season by runners from all over the state. This year will be particularly exciting for me as I will be coaching a high school team for the first time. Cross Country is my favorite time of year, and I look forward to being part of it as a coach. I hope that these summaries that follow spark what they were intended to: motivatation, discussion, and add to the excitement of a new season full of unknown promise. Happy running to everyone. Let me know if you think we've overlooked anything. Stay healthy, and leave nothing on the course.
Girls AA
For the team title it seems as though Gwynedd Mercy has the guns to win a state championship. They return 4 finishers from their 4th place team last year, senior Kahki Mealey, junior Caitlin McEldrew, sophomore Jessica Drewicz, and senior Chrissy Zataveski. Also returning is senior Kate Vernon, a very talented runner who was overcome with dehydration and did not finish in 2003. But that's not all. A surprise for this team is that sophomore Liz Kearins, from Central Bucks West, 3rd in the AAA race in 2003 as a freshman and a 2:12 two-lap AAA champ at states in the spring, has enrolled at Gwynedd Mercy. That addition, plus all the other returning talent, was enough to move them to #4 in the Northeast US in the pre-season Harrier/NTN poll just behind #3 Hatboro-Horsham. Also looking to make the team is freshmen Kelly McEldrew, who has 8th grade pr's of 2:18 for 800, and 5:10 for the mile. This is one deep squad. (Who said Meet of Champs in PA!?)
Last year's champion Dallas looks to be good again as they return 5 runners, including junior Lisa Giacometti, who was 6th as their top runner. They do lose their # 2 and 3 runners. Wellsboro, 2nd last year, looks like the depth chart will help them out as they have 6 of their top 7 returning. Wyomissing, 3rd in 2003, has 5 returning as they look for another good showing at states. But both Wellsboro and Wyo lose their #1 runners.
The individual title race looks quite a bit different this year with the addition of Kearins (2:12.62 semi, 2:12.98 finals for 1st AAA 800). She was 37 seconds better that day than the top returning AA runner, Jessica Squier of Elk Lake, who reportedly has had a fantastic summer of training and is aiming for another breakout year. Another favorite has to be Kate Vernon, a senior from Gwynedd Mercy, (2:15.01 / 5:00.98, both 1st AA) whose hopes were dashed last year by dehydration, plus teammate Kahki Mealey (5:02.11 2nd). Other challengers look to be senior Nichole Smith from Mercer, who was 5th, junior Lisa Giacometti from Dallas, who was 6th, junior Lindsay Petri from General McLane, who was 7th, senior Lynn Morelli and sophomore Christine Morelli from St. Basil, who were 8th and 9th respectively, and senior Tricia Learn from Mansfield, who was 10th in 2003.
Many things can happen during a cross country season, and these summaries are just one of many outcomes that are left to be determined by the rigors of a 2 month trek over hills and through mud under a myriad of conditions. Best of luck to everyone who steps foot on a cross country course this fall. And remember that we make our own destiny through the quality of our training and the tenacity of our racing.