Reporter/Times Herald Area Girls Cross Country Preview
This season provides a new start for several area cross country squads.
“This will be a challenging season because of the minimum amount of competition last season (due to the pandemic), and the resulting lack of experience,” Knights coach Jim Crawford Jr. said. “The very high level of talented runners in our Colonial Division of the Suburban One League make it that much more difficult.”
North Penn attacks the trails with a good mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors, while across town, Dock is also welcoming some newcomers.
Said coach Justin Feil: “We graduated some incredible experience and talent. We are replacing them with young, new runners. We don’t have a senior and very little experience. Maddy (Churches) and Paige (Miller) both ran last year so are actually more experienced than anyone on our team.
“Marlyse (Giesbrecht) had a terrific spring track season and was a district qualifier in the two longest distance events so we hope that translates into a good first cross country season. We have some crossover athletes so when they’re not there we could struggle to field a team, and we will need one of our young runners to step up to be competitive.”
Germantown Academy returns a team pretty much intact from a season ago.
“Our goal for the season is, first and foremost, to carry on with the core tenants that have existed for more than two decades under (former coach) Judy Krouse: teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship, and compassion,” coach Brent Freedland said. “We want to push ourselves and each other in practice to maximize our abilities, both as individuals and as a team.
“With an incredibly strong foundation already in place and the tremendous character of each and every runner on the team, we are already off to a great start building upon the disjointed 2020 season. We are excited to discover what we can accomplish as a team with a full season ahead of us.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Coach: Kiki Bell.
Last Season: SOL Colonial Champs; District 1-3A Runner-up.
Key Performers Lost: Emmi Simon; Julia Flood; Carlin McFadden; Francie Ebert.
Key Returners: Ella Lentini, So.; Cayleigh Haag, Jr.
Outlook for the Season: The Bucks lost a ton to graduation but should remain a force in the division.
DOCK MENNONITE
Coach: Justin Feil (seventh season).
Last Year’s Record: 5-1; BAL Champs; District 1-2A Champions.
Key Performers Lost: Sara Kennel; Lydia King; Sydney Putera; Isa Rodriguez.
Key Returners: Celeste Derstine, Jr.; Maddy Churches, So.; Paige Miller, So.
Others to Watch: Marlyse Giesbrecht, Jr.; Bobby Jo Dodds, Jr.; Sadie Bernd, Fr.
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
Coach: Brent Freedland (first season).
Key Returners: Juli Gonzalez, Sr.; Livi Merrill, Sr.; Olivia Jappe, Jr.; Carolyn Connolly, Jr.; Kayla D’Eletto, Jr.; Basha Harrington, So.; Abby Durkin, So.; Maggie Morrissey, So.; Lauren Perry, So.
Others to Watch: Clara Alger, Sr.; Sofia Eichsteadt, Sr.; Bethany Matje, Sr.; Candice Medina, Sr.; Hannah Manusov, Jr.; Lana Karpf, Jr.; Sanya Bandekar, Fr.; Taryn Difranco, Fr.; Allison Eichsteadt, Fr.
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY
Coach: Holly Stagliano (10th season).
Last Year’s Record: 3-3.
Key Performers Lost: Kelly Murray.
Key Returners: Ellie Perry, Sr.; Lauren Hirschmann, Sr.; Jane Hohenleitner, So.
Others to Watch: Claire Van Mater, Fr.; Grace Stetler, Sr.; Scarlett St. Clair, Jr.; Rose Mazzeo, Jr.; Annie Cirelli, So.
Coach Stagliano Says: “With Ellie Perry healthy and six of our top seven returning, I think we should improve our record from last year.
HATBORO-HORSHAM
Coach: Anna Snow.
Key Performers Lost: Gabriella Gilbilante.
Key Returners: Emily Simko, Jr.; Rose McGee, So.; Liena Goddard, Jr.; Kara Polichetti, Jr.
Outlook for the Season: The Hatters have their top runner back in Simko, and that should help keep the Hatters a competitive squad in the Liberty.
LANSDALE CATHOLIC
Coach: Matt Connelly.
Key Returners: Isabella Greco, Jr.; Maggie Friend, Jr.; Joanie Lauer, So.; Fiona Englemen, So.
Outlook for the Season: The Crusaders have a tremendous pack leader in Greco, which should provide a big boost.
NORTH PENN
Coach: Jim Crawford Jr. (49th season).
Last Year’s Record: 3-2.
Key Performers Lost: Jaime Diedel, Megan Gambogi.
Key Returners: Katelyn Folweiler, Sr.; Rachel Storm, Sr.; Jijee Dhinesh, Jr.; Julia Shin, Sr.; Natalie Gordon, So.; Charlize Huang, Jr.; Laura Leibiger, So.; Zoe Silva, Jr.; Katie Tarlo, Jr.
Others to Watch: Abigail Holmberg, Jr.; Claire Burcik, Sr.; Ava Warner, So.; Julia Young, Jr.
PENNRIDGE
Coach: Bill Smith (16th season).
Key performers lost: Ashley Gordon; Isabella Musgrove.
Key Returners: Nora Ritting, Jr.; Maria Lera-Lozano, So.; Ava Pultorak, Jr.
Outlook for the Season: The Rams lost their front runner to graduation but have a pretty experienced group coming back.
SOUDERTON
Coach: David Klein (fifth season).
Key Performers Lost: Gina Smyth.
Key Returners: Allison Malmquist, Sr.; Francie Flores, Sr.; Nora Richardson, Jr.; Shannon Rauch, Sr.
Outlook for the Season: Big Red gained some valuable experience a year ago and should have some solid leadership on the course.
WISSAHICKON
Coach: Heidi Butt.
Key Performers Lost: Lindsey Frenia; Natalie Drake.
Key Returners: Leah Dubin, Sr.; Mila Jovanovic, Jr.; Emma Jovanovic, Jr.
Outlook for the Season: The Trojans were second in the SOL Liberty a season ago and should again be in the thick of things for the division title.
