2018 Mercury Girls Cross Country Season Preview

Boyertown

Coach: Ed Baghdasarian, first year.

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

Runners to watch: Madalyn Hunsberger, Sr.; Mallory Schmidt, Sr.; Sabrina Bergey, Jr.; Zora Bergey, So.; Abby Rice, So.

Outlook: Baghdasarian takes over the Bear girls program from Ryan Knox, who headed it for three seasons. … Bergey is Boyertown’s highest-finishing returner. She placed 55th in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet as a freshman. … “The team is eager to improve, stay healthy, and with a new positive outlook on the season, look to make an impact in the PAC leagues and District 1 championship meets,” Baghdasarian said. “The girls are young and ready to become leaders and improve their performances.”

Daniel Boone

Coach: James Angle, first year.

Last year’s record: 5-2 Berks Conference I, 13-2 overall.

Runners to watch: Maggie Nygard, Sr.; Jocelyn Shank, Sr.; NoElle Sprenkle, Sr.; Abby Bulafka, Jr.; Carlina Davis, Jr.; Vivian Kase, Jr.; Ashley Benoit, So.

Outlook: Angle takes over the Blazer girls program from Russell Keith, who headed it for six seasons.. … “Last year,” Angle said, “the girls had a  strong county season and championship.  We hope to build on last year’s success by finishing with a strong county placement again, and push to have a stronger district finish.”

Hill School

Coach: Daniel McMains, ninth year.

Last year’s record: 5-1 overall.

Runners to watch: Paige Barcus, Jr.; Chevelle Obuobi-Donkor, Jr.; Olivia Tullman, Jr.; Kiersten Dagg, Fr.

Outlook: “Returning almost our entire varsity roster from last year,” McMains said, “this year’s team looks to build on our past success. Undefeated seasons, league or state titles have so far eluded us; but with a deep pool of talent, some new strong runners and a lot of work this fall, the team is excited to continue to pursue those goals. We just need to keep getting better.”

Methacton

Coach: Steve Mahan, 36th year.

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

Runners to watch: Lindsay Coia, Sr.; Olivia Leber, Sr.; Julia Malachowski, Sr.; Becky Sobeck, Sr.; Mia Sheldon, Jr.; Carly Ukalovic, Jr.; Maddy Ziegler, Jr.

Outlook: The Warriors’ pack is bolstered by the presence of sophomore Maya Leber and newcomers Mackenzie Clark and Devon Petrei. … Its PAC record notwithstanding, Methacton placed fourth in the league’s 2017 championship meet. Ukalovic is its highest-finishing returner, coming off a 19th-place showing in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet. … “This is a hard-working team that has joined together to run some awesome summer miles,” Mahan said. “They have been dedicated to their training during the pre-season part of the schedule.”

Norristown

Coach: Bill Schearer.

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

Runners to watch: Valeria Sanchez, Jr.; Stacy Sanchez.

Outlook: The Sanchezes are the team’s captains this season … The team has grown to 10 members. … “The team is looking to compete in the conference and begin a winning tradition,” Schearer said.

Owen J. Roberts

Head Coach: Tim Marcoe, first year.

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

Runners to watch: Mackenzie Kurtz, Sr.; Emma Torak, Sr.; Hannah Pugh, Sr.; Charley Lustig, Jr.; Hannah Kopec, Jr.; Mikayla Niness, Jr.; Emily Glasier, Soph; Calista VanDruff, Fr.; Sarah Karaman, Fr.

Outlook: The Wildcats are coming off a 2017 season that saw them finish as PAC champions, second in the District 1-AAA race and qualify for the PIAA Class AAA event. … Kopec, fifth in the Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet, is the team’s highest-finishing returner. Niness (11th) and Kurtz (12th) were other high-finishing ‘Cats. … Marcoe, the school’s track team head coach, takes over the girls program with David Michael’s retirement after a 42-year career. … “The girls are looking forward to the challenge of defending last season’s league championship,” Marcoe said. “Our goal is to compete well at each meet this season and continually improve as the season progresses.”

Perkiomen School

Coach: Greg Martin. third year.

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

Runners to watch: Anne Coby, So., Laurel Reese, Fr.

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 mid-season. We are lucky to return a number of strong runners on the girls 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: 4-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division), 10-1 overall.

Runners to watch:  Jocelyn Rotay, Sr.; Emma Alexy, So.; Megan Furlong, Fr.; Delaney O’Sullivan, Fr.

Outlook: O’Sullivan, who placed ninth in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet, is the Vikings’ highest-finishing returner. Rotay placed 17th in the race. … “The girls are replacing many key components of a team that placed second in PAC last year,” Sullivan said. “They enjoyed a productive summer of training, led by Delaney O’Sullivan, Emma Alexy and Jocelyn Rotay. The team will be forced to rely on new talent to fill out top 7. Megan Furlong is a talented freshman who will immediately jump into the varsity lineup. They hope to gain confidence and make strides throughout the season and look to contend in the always tough and talented PAC.”

Phoenixville

Coach: Eric Sprenkle, first year.

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

Runners to watch:  Karley Dibofsky, Sr.; Julia Hihi, Sr.; Madison O’Neill, So.

Outlook: Sprenkle takes over the Phantom girls program from Colleen Murphy, who headed it for two seasons. … O’Neill, who placed 32nd in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference meet, is the team’s highest-finishing returner. … “This year, a few experienced runners lead our young team as we look to improve collectively and individually,” Sprenkle said. “Many runners are eager to establish themselves as leaders, to help drive the team to success in this and future seasons.”

Pope John Paul II

Coach: Lisa Cagliola, first year.

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

Runners to watch: Julia Costello, Sr.; Sarah Abruzzo, Jr.; Claudia Dolan, Jr.; Natalie Florig, Jr.; Sarah Abruzzo, Jr.; Claudia Dolan, Jr.; Gianna Cagliola, Fr.; Kayla Croiger, Fr.; Tess Crossan, Fr. 

Outlook: The Golden Panthers’ roster is bolstered by freshmen Gianna Cagliola, Kayla Croiger and Tess Crossan. … Costello, who placed 24th in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet, is PJP’s highest-finishing returner. … “Our freshmen are not first-time runners and know how to race and will complement the upperclassmen nicely,” said Cagliola. “We are young and strong. The outlook for the season is bright.”

Pottsgrove

Coach: Larry Rechtin, 29th year.

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

Runners to watch: Megan Czerpak, Sr.; Molly Neeson, Sr.; Chloe Sullivan, Sr.; Amie Wildermuth, Jr.; Calista Faust, So.; Naomi Hillen, So.

Outlook: The Falcons’ roster is bolstered by freshman Angelia Hollinger. … Megan DeLena is in her first year assisting Rechtin. … Hillen who placed 28th in the District 1-AAA race last year, is the team’s highest-finishing returner. … “The girls are looking to compete for a Frontier Division title,” Rechtin said,  “but are going to be challenged by small numbers. We have great experience and will be led by 2017 state qualifier, Naomi Hillen and seniors Chloe Sullivan, Molly Neeson and Megan Czerpak. If the team can avoid the injury bug, we can and will compete well. The girls are a close group and are working very hard. I am excited to see them race soon.”

Pottstown

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

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

Runners to Watch: Hannah Shankle, Sr.; Nayeli Cruz, Jr.; Adrianna Hayward, Jr.; Abagail Parson, Jr.; Winni Weng, Jr.; London Aquino.

Outlook: Christman, who placed 41st in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet, 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: 3-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).

Runners to watch: Ahila Moorthy, Sr.; Rachel Murphy, Sr.; Emily Smith, Sr.; Kayla Breisch, Jr.; Devon Pytel, Jr.; Brooke Donoghue, So.; Alyssa Mullhall, So.

Outlook: The Rams graduated PAC champion Gabriella Bamford. That makes Smith, who placed eighth in the league’s 2017 meet, their highest-finishing returner. … “A senior-led team that graduated a strong class last year,” is the assessment of Cain, who replaces Brian Sullivan after seven years as head coach. “The team will be led by senior Emily Smith, who finished 23rd at Districts, and fellow seniors Ahila Moorthy and Rachel Murphy. Junior Devon Pytel, sophomore Brooke Donoghue and freshman Julia Breisch look to close the gap and make this team very competitive in PACs and Districts.”

Upper Merion

Coach: Kriston Jae Bethel, first year.

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

Runners to watch: Morgan Miller, Sr.; Emily Rotz, Sr.; Claire Becker, Jr.; Veronica Sanchez, Jr.; Claire Doan, So.

Outlook: Bethel is taking over the Viking girls program from Michael Francis, who headed it the past two years. … “After a number of our runners graduated last year,” Bethel said, “our girls are looking to step up and fill those roles. We’re looking to put in some serious work and hope to see big improvements by the end of the season.”

Upper Perkiomen

Coach: Todd Niemann, 16th year.

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

Runners to watch: Alexa Banner, Sr.; Serena Detweiler, Sr.; Naomi Brooks, So.; Natalia Curley, So.; Carolena Glackin, So.; Bela Medders, So.; Josie Mertz, So.; Dana Meyer, So.; Josie Coddington, Fr.. 

Outlook: Detweiler, who placed 14th in the 2017 Pioneer Athletic Conference championship meet and seventh in the District 1-AA race, returns as the Indians’ highest-finishing competitor. … “The team is young, with only two upperclas-men,” Niemann said. “Serena looks real strong again and will be very competitive with the top runners in the league. We are looking for the sophomores to step up this year. We cannot wait to start competing.”