2019 Reporter/Times Herald Area Girls Cross Country Preview
With plenty of returners from last season’s squad, Dock is chasing down Bicentennial Athletic League and District 1-A title hopes.
“We have four juniors and two seniors back who saw some success last year,” Pioneers coach Justin Feil said. “They have experience that should help them understand better how to train and prepare for meets.
“We’ve got a couple girls who are more dedicated to cross country now and that will help, and Isa Rodriguez is healthy again and running very well. Sara Kennel has been to back-to-back state meets and is hungrier this year. We’re hoping we can push each other to some outstanding times.”
There are a couple spots to fill.
“We lost the district runner-up so that’s a big spot to make up,” Feil said. “We’re very thin and so remaining healthy is hugely important to our season. We’ll need someone to step up to become a reliable fifth finisher.
“We have the potential to be a very good team. We would like to contend for league and district titles but our league got tougher and our district is reloading as well. We are going to work toward those lofty goals all year.”
North Penn should once again challenge in the packed Suburban One League Continental Conference.
“Hopefully, our team will improve as the season progresses, and we can avoid injuries,” coach Jim Crawford Jr. said. “Unfortunately for us, Central Bucks West, CB East, Souderton, Pennridge, CB South, and Quakertown are all in our conference.
“We will be lucky to be in the middle of the pack, but we could be improved over last year.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Dock
Coach: Justin Feil (fifth season).
Last year’s record: 3-3.
Key performers lost: Lauren Birch, Rebecca Crissman.
Key returners: Cici Ren 12, Rachel Jin 12, Sara Kennel 11, Lydia King 11, Sydney Putera 11, Isa Rodriguez 11.
Gwynedd Mercy
Coach: Holly Stagliano (third season).
Last year’s record: 3-4; fifth at the AACA Championship Meet; fifth in District 1-2A.
Key performers lost: Gina Boccuti.
Key returners: Kelly Murray, Jr.; Katharine Morgan, Jr.; Caroline Mullen, So.
Strengths: “Our core group of returning teammates and strong team bond,” Stagliano said.
Question marks: “Five new freshman.”
Outlook for the season: “I am optimistic about our season. We are a young team but with our returning members and some new freshman I believe we can improve our record and team standing in both the conference and district. I also look forward to a return trip to states.”
Lansdale Catholic
Coach: Matt Connelly.
Key performers lost: Sara Murphy.
Key returners: Taylor Connelly 12th.
Strengths: “Taylor had a successful junior year season at the PCL and district level,” Connelly said. “She is looking to improve on what she accomplished last year after a solid summer of training.”
Outlook for the season: “We have only a few girls at the start of the season, so we’ll be trying to build the girls program.”
North Penn
Coach: James Crawford (46th season).
Last year’s record: 1-5 in the SOL Continental; fourth in final standings.
Key performers lost: Maeve Gimbert, Angela Wu, Allison Cox, Jenna Webb (injured).
Key returners: Jaime Diedel (11), Rachel Ahlmark (12), Kelley Selheimer (12), Katelyn Folweiler (10), Divya Sood (12), Rongrong Wang (11), Rachel Storm (10).
Strengths: “A number of experienced runners; some new, young talent; and good team attitude.”
Question Marks: “Trying to avoid injuries that gave us problems last year: getting new runners adjusted to the very strong competition.”
Pennridge
Coach: William Smith (14th season).
Last year’s record: 3-3.
Key performers lost: Annabelle Huckerby.
Key returners: Bella Musgrive 11, Delaney Denton 11, Megan Lysek-Hagy 11, Olivia Corbett 10, Sarch Townsend 12, Samantha Foster 12, Hayley Gurysh 10, Emma Payne 10.
Strengths: “We have a large team with a lot of returners,” Smith said.
Question marks: “How will we stack up against a tough league.”
Outlook for the season: “Should be more competitive in a tough league.”
Souderton Area
Coach: David Klein (third season).
Last year’s record: Third in the SOL Continental.
Key performers lost: Lael Flores.
Key returners: Gina Smyth (11th), Jennifer Sidarous (12th), and Ally Malmquist (11th).
Strengths: “Team morale, culture,” Klein said.
Outlook: “Hoping for a healthy season, and a competitive team placing at districts.”
