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Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | BataviasBest.org
For me, the Dash in the Dark in Oakfield always signals the start of Cross Country season. Here is my brief 2017 HS Cross Country season preview.
Alexander
Head Coach: Andy Buckenmeyer
Record Last Season: 16-4
Key Players: Ben Slenker, Bryce Davis, Nicholas Allen
Season Outlook: The Trojans graduated five important seniors during the offseason, so the team will be ‘learning as they run’ this fall. In the end, Alexander hopes to be competitive within their division.
Attica
Head Coach: Bill Sikes
Record Last Season: 18-1 (girls) 5-14 (boys)
Key Players: Grace Kibler, Annabelle Peresan, Maddie Folts, Weston Head
Season Outlook: The Devils have quality talent returning to their boys and girls lineups this season. Look for the girls to continue their momentum, and expect the boys to improve as the season progresses.
Batavia
Head Coach: Rich Boyce and Bill McMullen (co-coaches)
Record Last Season: 2-2 in the division (both boys and girls)
Key Players: Zak Jantzi, John Bruggman, Mario Rosales, Hannah Finkey, Caitlin Kingston, Kiaya Franklin
Season Outlook: The boys team returns most of their top-runners from last year and hope to improve their 9th place finish in 2016 Sectionals. For the girls, 8 of their 13 runners are rookies in 2017, and their focus this season will be on having fun and building for the future.
Byron-Bergen
Head Coach: Dave Bateman
Record Last Season: 14-5 (girls), 7-12 (boys)
Key Players: Siomara Caballero, Alaura Rehwaldt, Annaliese Hersom, Justin Hannan, Jerome Spinks, Zach Hannan
Season Outlook: Coach Bateman is really excited to coach this team, as a solid group of runners return to the fold for the 2017 season.
Cal-Mum
Head Coach: Dan Freeman
Record Last Season: Not submitted
Key Players: Not submitted
Season Outlook: Not submitted
Holley
Head Coach: Dan Goodwin
Record Last Season: Not submitted
Key Players: Not submitted
Season Outlook: Not submitted
Le Roy
Head Coach: Jay Laitenberger
Record Last Season: Not submitted
Key Players: Not submitted
Season Outlook: Not submitted
Notre Dame
Head Coach: Eric Geitner
Record Last Season: 10-10 (girls), 12-7 (boys)
Key Players: Margaret Sutherland, Carly Olles, Austin Carrick, Stone Watkins, Trevor Nellis, Jacob Gualtieri, Tyler Fuller
Season Outlook: The ND girls team is a small group, but return a couple of strong athletes and should be able to maintain their success which they experienced a season ago. For the boys, after placing 5th last season at Sectionals, they are looking to be among the best in Class D this season.
Oakfield
Head Coach: Pete Beuler
Record Last Season: 18-1 (boys), 9-10 (girls)
Key Players: Cole O’Donnell, Kyle Mott, Mark Anauo, Joey Burdick, Dylan Maier, Erik Maier, Bryson Tobolski, Colin Graham, Farrah Macpherson, Logan Cadieux, Karly Smith,
Season Outlook: The boys team is coming off of a Sectional Title, and expect to extend their incredible success into the 2017 season. Coach Beuler believes his team is hungry, and ready to compete once again at the highest level. The girls, although a young team on paper, has experience at the top of their lineup and should bring enough back to ensure a respectable season.
Pavilion/York
Head Coach: Jim Sattora
Record Last Season: 9-10 (girls)
Key Players: Amber Lowery, Clayton Harris, DJ Mullen
Season Outlook: Experience is lacking for Pavilion/York boys, but with everyone returning to the Gophers’ girls squad, they hope to increase their success from last year.
Pembroke
Head Coach: Michael Puckett
Record Last Season: Not recorded
Key Players: Lucas Kohorst
Season Outlook: This year, the Pembroke boys will field a complete team, and hope to get better as the season goes on – as they return just 1 runner from a season ago.
Wheatland-Chili
Head Coach: Brian Glass
Record Last Season: 11-8 (boys), 16-3 (girls)
Key Players: Elijah Otto, Katie Russell, Leslie Noble
Season Outlook: Wheatland-Chili suffered major hits to their girls squad during the offseason, and will not field a complete squad in 2017. The boys, however, return 6 of 7 runners and have also added 3 solid freshman which they hope will allow them to achieve another winning record this fall.
Other articles you may like:
Batavia’s Best 2017 HS Football Preview: Outlook for your favorite team this year