2018 Mercury Boys Cross Country Season Preview

Boyertown

Coach: Ed Baghdasarian, first year.

Last year’s record: 4-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).

Runners to watch: Tyler Reigner, Sr.; James Sahakian, Sr.; Payton Stanziani, Sr.; Christian McComb, Jr.; John Black, So.

Season Outlook: Baghdasarian takes over the Bear boys program from Ryan Knox, who headed it for three seasons. … McComb, who placed ninth in the PAC’s 2017 championship meet, is Boyertown’s highest-returning finisher. … “The team is eager to improve, stay healthy, and with a new positive outlook on the season, looks to make an impact in the PAC and District 1 championship meets,” Baghdasarian said. “This next group of returning boys will try to improve their times each week.”

Daniel Boone

Coach: James Angle, first year head coach.

Last year’s record: 4-3 Berks Conference I, 11-4 overall.

Runners to watch: Luke Cable, Sr.; Matt Kresge, Sr.; Anthony DeFusco, Jr.; Riley Houck, Jr.; Alex Pingitore, Jr.; Ethan Harper, So.

Outlook: Angle takes over the Blazer boys program from Russell Keith, who headed it for six seasons. … “The boys had a strong finish within the county,” Angle said, “but hope to improve upon last year’s season. The Blazers are an overall young squad and will be led by district medalist and state qualifier Alex Pingitore.”

Hill School

Coach: Chris DeLucia, 11th year.

Last year’s record: 7-0 Mid-Atlantic Prep League.

Runners to watch: Tucker Dunn, Sr.; Trent Lopata, Sr.; Antoine Neveu, Sr.; Shahzaib Umer, Jr.; Jamie Olson, So.;  Michael Soland, So.

Outlook: The Blues are coming off a 2017 season that saw them finish as MAPL champions. … “Returning five of our top eight runners from a strong team with great heart,” DeLucia said. “While a little thin in numbers at this point, the core of the team is very dedicated and had a good summer of base training. The potential for another great season is there, the work is really just beginning”.

Methacton

Head coach: Steve Savitz, 14th year.

Last year record: 2-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).

Runners to watch: Garret Campbell, Sr.; Tommy Chimes, Sr.; Garrett McPhillips, Sr.; Jake Peters, Sr.; Sean Ritchie, Sr.; Jack Kapralick, Jr.; Matt Varghese, Jr.

Outlook: Their PAC record notwithstanding, the Warriors placed fourth in the PAC championship meet. … Varghese, who placed third in the PAC’s 2017 championship meet, is his team’s and the league’s highest-finishing returnee, Campbell placed 19th in the meet. … ​“This is one of the most experienced and dedicated teams I have had the privilege to coach in my tenure,” Savitz said. “There are two PAC All-League runners returning, and another three runners who will be competing to be on that list for this year’s season. There is also a large ninth-grade contingent added this year that is bringing new talent and energy to the team. They are fast and will be noticed. Their goal is to win the PAC league this year.”

Norristown

Coach: Bill Schearer.

Last year’s record: 0-5 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).

Runners to watch: Axell Bailon, Sr.; Ricardo Moreno, Jr.

Outlook: Bailon and Moreno are the team’s captains this season. … Additionally, the team returns eight other members. … “The team is looking to compete in the conference and begin a winning tradition,” Schearer said.

Owen J. Roberts

Coach: Tim Marcoe, first year.

Last year’s record: 4-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).

Runners to watch: Linus Blatz, Sr.; David Brunton, Sr.; Quinten Sherwood, Sr.; Vincent Fennell, Jr.; Matthew Muthler, Jr.; Cole Smith, Jr.; Josh DiMarino, So.; Thomas Damiani, Fr.

Outlook: The Wildcats, who were third in the District 1-AAA Championship meet and a PIAA state qualifier last fall, are facing a new season without the graduated two-time PAC champion and All-Area Runner of the Year Liam Conway. … Blatz, 11th in the 2017 PAC championship meet, and Fennell (15th), are OJR’s highest-finishing returners. … “The boys are looking forward to building upon their success from last season,” Marcoe, who takes over the program from retired long-time icon David Michael, said.  “They are excited about their potential for the season and have worked hard over the summer to be prepared for racing. The coaching staff has emphasized consistent training day in and day out, in order for them to compete with anybody in the league and district.”

Perkiomen School

Coach: Greg Martin, third year.

Last year’s record: Second place Tri-County League.

Runners to watch: Jeremy Feldman Sr.; Greyson Schlupp, Sr.

Outlook: “Since many of our students come from outside the local area,” Martin said, “it is often a scenario of not knowing what you have until midseason. We are lucky to return a number of strong runners on the team. Peaking for mid-October is key, since many of our runners will not have base miles in when they arrive. Adding new coach Lee Hyatt will be a big plus, as he carries extensive cross country experience.”

Perkiomen Valley

Coach: Ryan Sullivan, 17th year.

Last year’s record: 1-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division), 5-6 overall.

Runners to watch: Eric Olden, Sr.; Tyler Clifford, Jr.; Dylan Danowski, Jr.; Calvin Ribelin, Jr.; Ethan Ribelin, Jr.; Kiburu Brown, So.; Riley Milligan, So.

Outlook: Bolstering the Viking ranks are freshmen Tommy Bricker and Evan Romano. … Clifford, who placed 24th in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet, is the team’s highest-finishing returner. … PV returns five of seven varsity runners from the 2017 squad. “The team is large and young,” Sulllivan said, “but have made great strides over the summer, already matching times from previous season. The team has taken a step up in training intensity over the summer, so we look to improve throughout the year and qualify for the Final Four.”

Phoenixville

Coach: Justin Winters, ninth year.

Last year’s record: 5-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).

Runners to watch: Patrick Darcy, Sr.; Alex Fey, Sr.; Ethan Herring, Sr.; Connor McShane, Sr.; Connor Wilchusky, Sr.; Nick Gatcha, Jr.; Tyler Pekofsky, Jr.; Carson Kleppe, So.; Colin Murphy, So.

Outlook: The Phantoms’ ranks are bolstered by the presence of freshman Brian Kerchner. … Carlos Shultz is not out for the team this season due to a transfer out of the district at the beginning of the year. Shultz distinguished himself his sophomore season by placing fifth in the District 1-AAA meet. … “Our team is a unique blend of experienced upperclassmen combined with a  massive influx of young talent,” Winters said. “If our seniors can teach and perform at the level they’re capable of — and if our underclassmen can learn to race and perform quickly — then we will once again be highly competitive. The boys are very excited, hungry and eager to show what they can do.”

Pope John Paul II

Coach: Lisa Cagliola, first year.

Last year’s recordl: 4-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).

Runners to watch: Jack Phillips, Sr.; JP Schiele, Sr.; Jack Brosius, So.; Kaden Buchler, So.; Jack Flynn, So. 

Outlook: The Golden Panthers’ ranks are bolstered by a trio of freshmen: Jason DeMarco, Pat McCafferty and Will Woodall. … PJP was a force against other Class AA schools in the 2017 postseason, winning District 1 and placing 16th at states. … “Our freshmen are not first-time runners and know how to race and will complement the upperclassmen nicely,” Cagliola said.  We are young and strong, {but) keeping every healthy is important. Our outlook for the season is bright.”

Pottsgrove

Head Coach: Larry Rechtin, 29th year.

Last year’s record: 3-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).

Runners to watch: Gabe Craig, Sr.; Bryce Hampton, Sr.; LaRee Hills, Sr.; Brandon Henriksen, Jr.; Simon Keen, Jr.; Pat Rieker, Jr.

Outlook: The Falcons’ roster is bolstered by freshman Jayden Smith. … Megan DeLena is in her first year assisting the program. … “After four years as one of the smallest schools in the AAA bracket,” Rechtin said, “the Pottsgrove boys return to the AA bracket for Districts.This has re-energized the program and re-defined our team goals. The boys will be led by experienced runners Bryce Hampton, Gabe Craig, and Brandon Henriksen. From there, our success will depend on how quickly our newbies can learn to race and if we can stay healthy with our small numbers.”

Pottstown

Coach: Mary Ann Hill, ninth year (14th overall).

Last year’s record: 0-5 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).

Runners to watch: Mitchell Aquino, Sr.; Giankirk Kimmell, Sr.; Jamie Sharp, Sr.; Sebastian Buchanan, Jr.; Jared Hill, Jr.; Noah Patton, Jr.; Collin Stone, Jr.; Riley Meade.

Outlook: Kimmell, who placed 24th in the District 1-AA race last year, is the Trojans’ highest-finishing returner. … “The Pottstown Trojans would like to wish all a great season and better weather,” Hill said.

Spring-Ford

Coach: Dave Cain, first year.

Last Year’s Record: 4-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).

Runners to watch: Sean Morris, Sr.; Joey Power, Sr.; Jason Dunham, Jr.; Anthony Bamford, So.; Andrew Carlin, So.; Max Collins, So.; Alex Fink, So.; Johnny Zawislak, So.

Outlook: Cain takes over the Ram program from Brian Sullivan, who headed it for six years. … Zawislak, who placed eight in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet, is the highest-finishing returner for a Spring-Ford unit that scored fourth-place team finishes in the District 1-AAA and PIAA Class AAA meets after finishing as PAC champion. Power was 18th at PACs. … “A young team that graduated a strong senior class,” assessed Cain. “Will be lead by Johnny Zawislak, who finished 36th at districts and 50th at states as a freshman. Joey Power and Sean Morris provide strong senior leadership and experience. Anthony Bamford, Max Collins, Andrew Carlin, Alex Fink, Jadon Dunham and Braden Krajcirovic look to provide depth on this young squad.”

Upper Merion

Coach: Lynda Newhart, 14th year.

Last year’s record: 2-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).

Runners to watch: Chime Amaefuna, Sr.; Owen Ebersole, Sr.; Michael Freaney Sr.; Abhi Vagvala, Sr.; Jack Mattics, So.

Outlook: Mattics is the Vikings’ highest-finishing returner, placing 45th in the PAC championship meet as a freshman. “Three of the top five are returning,” Newhart said. “We’re looking for others to step up, and hoping to improve on our PAC record.”

Upper Perkiomen

Coach: Todd Niemann, 16th year.

Last Year’s record: 1-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division).

Runners to watch: Drake Conklin, Sr.; Dylan Simms, Sr.; Lance Templeton, Sr.; Jonathan Daub, Jr.; Jacob Hefner, Jr.; Lane Homan, Jr.; Ryan Landis, Jr.; Ethan Markwalter, Jr.; Mikey Milkowich, Jr.; Ethan Trzaska, Jr.; Jonathan Trzaska, Jr.; Blandin Conklin, So.

Outlook: The Indians’ ranks are bolstered by the presence of freshmen Hunter Adelsberger, William Daub and Donnie Miller. … Simms, who placed 55th in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet, is UP’s highest-finishing returner. … “The team has a lot of depth and we are looking forward to them progressing together,” Niemann said. “We don’t have a front-runner like Cam Junk yet, but the boys are working hard and hopefully we can win some meets because of our depth.”