Photo credit: Stephen Ognibene
| Monday, August 20, 2018 | BataviasBest.org
Here is my brief 2017 HS Cross Country season preview:
Alexander
Head Coach: Andy Buckenmeyer
Record Last Season: 10-9
Key Players: Bryce Davis, MacNeil Ruston, Nick Allen
Season Outlook: The Trojans have a number of returning runners and hope to challenge for a League Title, and a top-three finish come sectional time.
Attica
Head Coach: Bill Sikes
Record Last Season: 18-1 (girls)
Key Players: Madi Folts and Margot Sovocool
Season Outlook: The Devils are rebuilding this season as they don’t have as much depth as they have had in previous seasons. However, despite that fact they hope to remain competitive within their league.
Batavia
Head Coach: Rich Boyce
Record Last Season: 6-16 (girls), 8-14 (boys)
Key Players: Hannah Finkney, Cali Nichols, Jadyn Boyce, Sydney Konieczny, Zak Jantzi, Mario Rosales, Kris Kuszlyk, Thomas Ognibene
Season Outlook: The Batavia Boys have incredible depth this season and are looking forward to challenging the top-teams in Section V. The Girls also have a wealth of experience returning to the team, and has the most depth that they’ve had in years. They too expect to experience success this season.
Byron-Bergen
Head Coach: Dave Bateman
Record Last Season: 16-3 (girls), 8-11 (boys)
Key Players: Siomara Caballero, Dayanara Caballero, Alaura Rehwaldt, Zach Hannan
Season Outlook: The Bees have enjoyed increased numbers on their boys team this year and believe that will translate to an increase in success. On the girls side they return their top-six runners from a year ago and hope to once again to compete for a league and sectional title.
Cal-Mum
Head Coach: Dan Freeman
Record Last Season: 0-19
Key Players: Kevin Flint, Sean Murphy, Tyler Brabant, Faith Carroll
Season Outlook: The Red Raiders believe they should be more-competitive this season.
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: 15-4 (boys), 13-6 (girls)
Key Players: Maxin McKenzie, Courtney Kacur
Season Outlook: The Le Roy Boys team graduated several seniors from last years team and they look forward to a rebuilding year in 2018. The girls, however, return almost everyone from last year and hope to build on their 2017 success.
Notre Dame
Head Coach: Eric Geitner
Record Last Season: 6-13 (girls), 18-1 (boys)
Key Players: Austin Carrick, Tyler Fuller
Season Outlook: The Notre Dame Boys team graduated two of their top-five runners from last season but hope they have enough young runners who can step in and fill some big shoes. The Lady Irish have just two runners this season but are hoping both can experience individual success.
Oakfield
Head Coach: Pete Beuler
Record Last Season: 19-0 (boys), 15-4 (girls)
Key Players: Kyle Mott, Zack Hall, Mark Anauo, Derek McIntire, Abby Gardner, Karly Smith, Lizzy Toal
Season Outlook: The Oakfield Boys have won the Class D Title two seasons in a row and return a load of talent from last year’s team. The Girls took a step forward last season and finished third at the sectional meet – their best finish since winning the title in 2012 – and are hoping to add to their 2017 success.
Pavilion/York
Head Coach: Jim Sattora
Record Last Season: 8-12 (boys), Incomplete (girls)
Key Players: DJ Mullen, Amber Lowery, Angela Davidson
Season Outlook: The girls will compete as an incomplete team, while the boys have just five runners – one of which returning with quality varsity experience. They must remain healthy if they hope to compete in the league.
Pembroke
Head Coach: Michael Puckett
Record Last Season: Incomplete
Key Players: Emily Peters
Season Outlook: The Dragons are enjoying improved numbers this year, but are still a young team so they believe this will be another transitional campaign.
Wheatland-Chili
Head Coach: Brian Glass
Record Last Season: 8-11 (boys), 0-19 (girls)
Key Players: Elijah Otto, Made Ozminkowski, Grace Gocher
Season Outlook: The Wheatland-Chili Girls team hopes to do something special this year as they are enjoying competing with a full team once again. On the boys side they have a good mix of senior leadership and underclass talent and is hoping to return to a winning team this season.
