2019 Mercury-Area Boys Cross Country Preview

BOYERTOWN

Coach: Ed Baghdasarian, second year.

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

Runners to watch: Christian McComb, Sr.; Zachary Raugh, Sr.; Alec Barton, Jr.; John Black, Jr.; Eric Muthersbaugh, Jr.; Cameron Kratz, So.

Outlook: Christian McComb comes into the season as the PAC’s defending individual champion. He finished third in District 1’s Class AAA race, less than a second behind Downingtown West runner-up Payton Sewall. … “Team goals are to improve on our league standings and also try to qualify for the state championships as a team,” Baghdasarian said. “Christian McComb will attempt to stay undefeated and repeat as the individual PAC league champion.”

DANIEL BOONE

Coach: James Angle, second year.

Last year’s record: 3-4 Berks Conference I, 9-6 overall.

Runners to watch: Riley Houck, Sr.; Alex Pingitore, Sr.; Jacob Santos, Sr.; Luke Gehringer, So.

Outlook: “The boys had a few close losses last season while managing to maintain a winning record,” Angle said. “The team is returning seven out eight district runners from 2018. They hope to improve upon last’s year winning season and push to be one top teams in Berks county. Alex Pingitore will lead the team this year and has in the past earned all county honors and a district medal, and has been a state qualifier.”

HILL SCHOOL

Coach: Chris DeLucia, 12th year.

Last year’s record: 4-1 Mid-Atlantic Prep League.

Runners to watch: Shahzaib Umer, Sr.; Jamie Olson , Jr.; Michael Soland, Jr,

Outlook: “Co-captains Olson and Umer are coming off strong track seasons and are ready to lead this team,” DeLucia said. “Michael Soland is our strong number-three, but we are still waiting to see who will step up to fill out the varsity group. Several runners have potential, but the success of this team this season will rely heavily on who did the work over the summer, and can contribute to our scoring. A young team with good potential.”

METHACTON

Coach: Steve Savitz, 15th year.

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

Runners to watch: Jack Kapralick, Sr,; Nolan McMahon, Sr.; Charlie D’Orazio, Jr.; Vaugh Lackman, So.; Bryan Landsberg, So.; Tristan Landsberg, So.; Chris McGlynn, So.

Outlook: The Warriors placed second in the team standings at the 2018 PAC meet. … “This team is young and energetic,” Savitz said. “Practices have been great, and this team is hungry. They are dedicated, and with a few races under their belts, they will just continually improve. I am looking forward to the final product.”

NORRISTOWN

Coach: Milton Williams, first year.

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

Runners to watch: Ramon Ademokan, Sr.; Ruben Morales, Sr.; Ricardo Moreno, Sr.

Outlook: Williams, who also coaches the school’s track squad, takes over the Eagle program from Bill Schearer, … “We are looking to continue to bring a competitive atmosphere and raise the level of our distance program at Norristown.” Williams said.

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Coach: Tim Marcoe, second year.

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

Runners to watch: Vincent Fennell, Sr.; Matthew Muthler, Sr.; Eric Shanahan, Sr.; Cole Smith, Sr.; Josh DiMarino, Jr.; Thomas Damiani, So.; Sebastian Herrada, So.; Matt Kwiatkowski, So.; Andrew McGonigle Fr.; Nathan Hayes Fr.

Outlook: The Wildcats’ roster is bolstered by freshmen Nathan Hayes and Andrew McGonigle. … Damiani placed seventh in the 2018 PAC Championship meet to rank as OJR’s highest-finishing returner. Fennell placed 12th in helping the Wildcats win the team championship by a 20-point (44-64) margin over Methacton. … “The boys are looking forward to building upon their success from last season,” Marcoe 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 andday out, in order for them to compete with anybody in the league, district and state.”

PERKIOMEN SCHOOL

Coach: Greg Martin. fourth year.

Last year’s record: NA.

Runners to watch: Caleb Moyer, Rylee Walsh, Christine Zhang.

Outlook: “This will be very much a rebuilding year, due to graduating a large number of seniors,” Martin said.

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Coach: Ryan Sullivan, 18th year.

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

Runners to watch: Tyler Clifford, Sr.; Dylan Danowski, Sr.; Calvin Ribelin, Sr.; Ethan Ribelin, Sr.; Kiburu Brown, Jr.; Dan Hayman, Jr.; Evan Romano, So.; Evan Romano.

Outlook; The Vikings’ roster is bolstered by the addition of freshman Dylan Ribelin. … Clifford, who placed third in the 2018 PAC Championship meet, returns as the leading runner on a PV squad that returns seven of seven varsity runners. … “The team is large and experienced and made great strides during spring track and summer training,” Sullivan said. “The team will be led by Tyler Clifford and followed closely by Dylan Danowski and Ethan Ribelin. We’re looking forward to the always-competitive PAC 10, improving throughout the season and competing for the title.”

PHOENIXVILLE

Coach: Justin Winters, ninth year.

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

Runners to watch: Nick Gatcha, Sr.; Gabriel Puleo, Sr.; Luke Hihi, Jr.; Carson Kleppe, Jr.; Colin Murphy, Jr.; Doug Villeags-Rivas, Jr.; Yash Agnihotri, So.; Bryan Kerchner, So.

Outlook: Puleo cracked the Top 10 in the 2018 PAC Championship meet, finishing 10th. … “We have a super exciting mix of strong veterans combined with a very large group of young and talented up and comers,” Winters said. “Depending on how well our younger group can learn to race, compete and contribute, we could be a very competitive team by the time championship season comes around. Puleo, Gatcha and Villegas-Rivas should perform extremely well, not only in the PAC but in the District and hopefully state levels as well. The team is eager to show what it can do!”

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Coach: Lisa Cagliola, second year.

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

Runners to watch: Jack Brosius, Jr.; Jack Flynn, Jr.

Outlook: Cagliola will be assisted by first-year coach Beth Green. … Brosius placed second in the District 1-AA meet, six-tenths of a second behind race winner Shane Cohen of Lower Moreland. Flynn checked in with a sixth-place run. … “We are looking to repeat as Frontier Division and District 1 AA champions, with the boys looking to improve their overall PAC finish,” Cagliola said. “We have a lot of young returning runners and we only lost two varsity boy seniors. We have a strong incoming freshman group for both genders.”

POTTSGROVE

Head Coach: Larry Rechtin, 30th year.

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

Runners to watch: Brandon Henriksen, Sr.; Simon Keen, Sr.; Patrick Rieker, Sr.; Jonah Korman, Jr.; Jaden Smith, So.; Brendan Vaughn, So.

Outlook: Rechtin will be helped in his coaching duties by first-year assistant Toni Crater. … Keen is the Falcons’ top returning PAC finisher, having placed 35th in the 2018 meet. … “The boys return some front running experience in Simon Keen, who was a AA State qualifier last season, and Brandon Henriksen, who was one place off states,” Rechtin said. “Right with them will be Jaden Smith, who looks to improve greatly after a strong ninth grade season. With these first three runners, the ‘Grove looks to be able to run on the front end with most teams in the Frontier Division of the PAC. If we can develop 2-3 more runners over the season, we will have a team that can be competitive in the division. We do have the desire and talent, but will need to stay healthy with small numbers.”

POTTSTOWN

Coach: Stephanie Konnick, first year.

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

Runners to watch: Riley Mead, Sr.; Noah Patten, Sr.; Collin Stone, Sr.; Christian Albert, Jr.; Darius Smallwood, Jr.

Outlook: Konnick, a Pottstown alumnae who played field hockey and lacrosse during her scholastic time, replaces the retired Mary Ann Hill. Hill had coached the Trojans twice in a combined 14 seasons.

SPRING-FORD

Coach: Dave Cain, second year.

Last Year’s Record: 3-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division).

Runners to watch: Nick Trapani, Sr.; Liam Baker, Jr.; Anthony Bamford, Jr.; Andrew Carlin, Jr.; Max Collins, Jr.; Alex Fink, Jr.; Will Taylor, Jr.; Greg Chiradonna, So.; Ryan Trimble, So.

Outlook: The Rams’ roster is bolstered by the presence of freshman Quinn Smith. … Fink, who placed ninth in the 2018 PAC Championship meet, is the team’s highest-finishing returner. John Zawislak, who placed fourth in that race, will be unable to run his junior year due to a stress fracture… “An experienced team that has lots of guys fighting it out for varsity,” Cain said. “This team has a strong group of juniors that look to emerge into a top-tier team. Bolstered by the addition of some underclassman with a lot of talent, this team looks to be ultra competitive in PACs and districts.”

UPPER MERION

Coach: Lynda Newhart, 15th year.

Last year’s record: 1-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Frontier Division), 2-4 overall.

Runners to watch: Patrick O’Donnell, Sr.; Jack Matics, Jr.; Jack Larkin, So.

Outlook: Matics is the Vikings’ highest-finishing returner, placing 22nd in the 2018 PAC championship meet. … “Jack Larkin and Jack Matics finished strong last year — we’re looking for others to join them,” Newhart said. “It’s a mix of experienced JV runners stepping up, and a large group of young runners with almost half the team being freshmen.”

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Coach: Todd Niemann, 17th year.

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

Runners to watch: Jonathan Daub, Sr.; Jacob Hefner, Sr.; Ryan Landis, Sr.; Ethan Markwalter, Sr.; Mikey Milkowich, Sr.; James Patterson, Sr.; Cody Schwenk, Sr.; Ethan Trzaska, Sr.; Jonathan Trzaska, Sr.; Blandin Conklin, Jr.; Hunter Adeslberger, So.; Jon Carnisi, So.; William Daub, So. Donnie Miller, So.

Outlook: The Indians’ ranks are bolstered by eight incoming freshmen headed by Charles McGillen. … Markwalter, Milkowich and the Trzaskas are serving as team co-captains. … “This year’s boys team will be one of the largest Upper Perk has ever had,” Niemann said. “It (2018 season) was only the second time the boys had a winning season in over 20 years. The team looks forward to the bright future and continued growth of the program.”