2021 Mercury Boys and Girls Cross Country Team-by-Team Preview
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
BOYERTOWN
Coach: Ed Baghdasarian, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 2-5 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Cameron Kratz, Sr.; Nathaniel Ansu, Sr.; Cole Cavalero, Jr.; Lucas Famous, Jr.; Ethan Maraldo, Jr.; Jayden Wool, Jr.; James DeSanto, So.
Outlook: The Bears’ roster is bolstered by newcomers like Ansu, Maraldo and freshmen Cole Peifer and Aiden Voth. … Kratz placed 50th in last year’s District 1-AAA race. … “There is more depth behind Cameron Kratz this year,” Baghdasarian said. “Cavalero, Famous and DeSanto as well as the newcomers look to bring the gap between Kratz and themselves closer. Our strength will be our 2-9 guys working together to get low sticks and fast times. Kratz will be looking to find a qualifying spot to compete in his first PIAA State race in November at Hershey.”
DANIEL BOONE
Coach: Doug Snyder, second year.
Last year’s record: 9-5 overall.
Runners to watch: Skyler Fries, Sr.; Luke Gehringer, Sr.; Stephen McDevitt, Sr.; Cory Miller, Sr.; Shawn Selbst, Sr.; Mason Hallman, Jr.; Billy Bulafka, So.; Matthew Ferenz, So.
Outlook: Gehringer and Miller were a respective 14th and 16th in last year’s Berks League meet. … “This senior heavy team should have another winning record in 2021,” Snyder said.
HILL SCHOOL
Coach: Chris DeLucia, 14th year.
Last year’s record: No official season in 2020.
Runners to watch: Owen Manganiello, Sr.; Patrick Dunn, Jr.; Ginta Harada, Jr.
Outlook: “A young team with a great work ethic and team concept,” is DeLucia’s assessment. “There is no limit to their potential, and we expect strong progress and a few surprises.”
METHACTON
Coach: Steve Savitz, 17th year.
Last year record: 5-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Vaughn Lackman, Sr.; Bryan Landsberg, Sr.; Tristan Landsberg, Sr.; Chris McGlynn, Sr.; Jack Rosti, Sr.; Jason Shumaker, Evander Lackman, Jr.; Matthew Sanders, So.
Outlook: The Warriors are coming off a 2020 season that saw them place second in the PAC and ninth in the District 1-AAA Championship team standings. Lackman led their district run by finishing 40th. … “This year, the team is motivated and experienced,” Savitz said. “They trained hard over the summer, and this showed by winning their first scrimmage at the Spring-Ford Invitational. With this level of dedication, this team will be competing for the top spots throughout the season.”
NORRISTOWN
Coach: Milton Williams, second year.
Last year’s record: No season in 2020 due to pandemic
Runners to watch: Zir Banos, Jr.; Alexander Mujica, Jr.; Steven Rubio, Jr.
Outlook: “Right now, due to Covid, we are hitting the reset button on our XC program,” Williams said. “We have a limited number of athletes out right now and are looking to rebuild our program.”
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Coach: Tim Marcoe, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 5-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Thomas Damiani, Sr.; Jack Golden, Sr.; Sebastian Herrada, Sr.; Evan Hild, Sr.; Charlie Kullen, Sr.; Matt Kwiatkowski, Sr.; Andrew LaGreca, Sr.; Nick Wood, Sr.; Nathan Hayes, Jr.; Andrew McGonigle, Jr.
Outlook: McGonigle was Roberts’ highest finisher at 2020 Districts, placing 29th in AAA. …“The boys are looking forward to building upon their success over the last few seasons,” Marcoe said. “They are excited about their potential for this season and have worked hard during last track season and over the summer. They are well prepared for the racing season to begin. The coaching staff has emphasized consistent training day in and day out, in order for them to compete with anybody in the league, district, and state.”
PERKIOMEN SCHOOL
Coach: Jacob Wells, first year.
Last year’s record: Team did not participate in any meets last year.
Runners to watch: Ocean Mayer, Jr.
Outlook: “One major goal for the season is to have fun and strengthen the program after COVID-19 made cross country running difficult for everyone,” Wells said. “I hope to instill some traditions and memorable experiences for the athletes this year that will carry over to future seasons with the team. Lastly, I want our upper class athletes to have a fantastic season so they can fondly remember their time running cross country, even during a pandemic.”
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Coach: Ryan Sullivan, 19th year.
Last year’s record: 4-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Tommy Bricker, Sr.; Evan Romano, Sr.; Robert Westmeyer, Sr.; Dylan Ribelin, Jr.; Jason Clifford, So.; Tristan Watts, So.
Outlook: The Vikings roster is bolstered by the presence of freshman Dinl Liberi. … “The team graduated two out of top five runners,” Sullivan said, “but are now led by top senior runners Evan Romano and Tommy Bricker, who both had a great summer of training. We will need the development and improvement of younger runners to compete with the top dogs in the PAC 12. Looking forward to the always competitive PAC 12, improving throughout the season and competing for the Final 4.”
PHOENIXVILLE
Coach: Justin Winters, 12th year.
Last year’s record: 2-0 overall.
Runners to watch: Yash Agnihotri, Sr.; Mike Detato, Sr.; Nate Gale, Sr.; Bryan Kerchner, Sr.; Liam Martnishn, Sr.; Rowan Martnishn, Sr.; Joey Romano, Sr.; Leo Sereni, Sr.; Declan Woodall, Jr.; Will Brennfleck, So.
Outlook: “We have a very strong team this year and are excited to see what we can do, especially after the year we just went through (or lack thereof),” Winters said. “The team has a mix of hardened and experienced upperclassmen and an influx of young hungry talent. We’re excited to see what can happen at the end of the season when it really matters, and we’ve gone through the progression of the system. The team is tough, excited and very eager to show what they can do.”
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Coach: Lisa Cagliola, fourth year.
Last year’s record: No PAC season
Runners to watch: Seniors Jason DiMarco, Sr.; Pat McCafferty, Sr.; Will Woodall. Sr.; Oscar Luna, So.
Outlook: The Golden Panthers roster will be bolstered in a big way by seven incoming freshman who, according to Cagliola, “look great.” … DiMarco and McCafferty were PJP’s top finishers in the 2020 District 1-AA meet, placing a respective 13th and 14th. … “We hope to have a winning season in the Frontier Division and be competitive in the conference championship and districts, where Jason DiMarco hopes to qualify for States for the second time individually.”
POTTSGROVE
Coach: Toni Crater, first year.
Last year’s record: 0-7 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Brendan Vaughan, Sr.; Daniel Korman, Jr.; Isaac Kumpf, Jr.; Xavier Walker, Jr.
Outlook: Crater has taken over the Falcon program from Larry Rechtin, who stepped down from the post after 31 seasons. Rechtin, however, is staying on board in an assistant’s capacity. … The Falcon roster is bolstered by the addition of freshman Owen Mountz. … “Very small in numbers this season, with a total of nine athletes,” Crater said, “but this group has put in their summer mileage and are ready to race. Each of our top runners were varsity level last year, so they understand what it takes to race and be competitive. With the small team it will be imperative for us to remain healthy. We also have a few new athletes who have joined the team this year, a mix of both upperclassmen and freshmen who are excited and ready to work on rebuilding the Pottsgrove cross country program.”
POTTSTOWN
Coach: Stephanie Konnick, third year.
Last year’s record: No season
Runners to watch: Adam Alaoui, Jr.; Dawud Barnes, Jr.; Derek Gephart, Jr.; Ethan Masewics, Jr.
Outlook: The Trojans will be light in numbers, with only four runners on the team … Though he graduated in the spring of 2021, the legacy of program star Darius Smallwood — he was the runner-up in the District 1-AA championship meet last November — resonates with one member of this year’s team. “Ethan is one of our better runners,” Konnick said, “and he looked up to Darius.”
SPRING-FORD
Coach: Dave Cain, fourth year.
Last Year’s Record: 7-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Greg Chiradonna, Sr.; Braden Krajcirovic, Sr.; Ryan Trimble, Sr.; Andrew Zimmerman, Sr.; Ryan Kovaleski, Jr.; Quinn Smith, Jr.; Jacob Delgado, So.; Jack Stanick, So.; Ethan Tharp, So.
Outlook: The Rams’ roster is bolstered by the addition of freshman Gus Smith. … Smith was Spring-Ford’s top finisher in the 2020 District 1-AAA race, placing 27th. … “Strong senior leadership, and a competitive group of juniors and sophomores make up the nucleus of the team. A large talented group of freshmen are pushing to bump into the varsity. This team runs as a pack and works very well together.”
UPPER MERION
Coach: Lynda Newhart, 17th year.
Last year’s record: 1-6 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Andrew Ebersole, Sr.; Jack Larkin, Sr.; Zach Reid, Sr.; Charlie Helfand, Jr.
Outlook: “After a rough season last year, losing three duals within two points, the boys are hoping to have a stronger showing,” Newhart said. “The four aforementioned runners will be returning to their varsity spots, but still looking for incoming and younger guys to move up. Still lots of uncertainty, but looking for improvement on last year’s record. Success will be determined by forging experience with new blood.”
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Coach: Todd Niemann, 19th year.
Last Year’s record: 3-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Hunter Adelsberger, Sr.; Jon Carnesi, Sr.; William Daub, Sr.; Donnie Miller, Sr.; Charles McGillen, Jr.
Outlook: The Indians roster is bolstered by the presence of freshmen William Godshall, Roman Macedo and Ben Sensinger. … Miller was UP’s top finisher at districts in 2021, placing 30th in AAA competition. … “The team has great leadership from the seniors, who are also the frontrunners,” Niemann said. “We are looking forward to finally attending some invitationals this year. We should be pretty competitive within the small school division and look forward to competing against the whole league this year.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
BOYERTOWN
Coach: Ed Baghdasarian, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 4-3 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Alyssa Albanese, Jr.; Grace Major, Jr.; Lillian DaSilva, So.; Tamara Engler, So.; Ava Gaisbauer, So.; Jamie Kelly, So.; Gabriela Martin, So.
Outlook: Albanese will serve as the Bears’ captain. … “With still a very young inexperienced team,” Baghdasarian said, “our girls team will be competing in its first invitationals. Alyssa will be helping guide and lead this young core of sophomore Bears to faster times. Alyssa qualified for districts’ limited field last fall and hopes to run much faster times. Engler and Kelly, Martin will provide a solid group to help the team as well.”
DANIEL BOONE
Coach: Doug Snyder, second year.
Last year’s record: 8-6 overall.
Runners to watch: Renee Camburn, Sr.; Olivia Poore, Sr.; Hannah Santos, Sr.; Dani Ferrara, So.; Natalie Kryman, So.
Outlook: The Blazers’ roster is bolstered by the addition of freshmen AnnaBeth Glass and Emrie Watts. … Santos and Kryman were Top 20 finishers in last year’s Berks League meet, Santos placing 13th and Kryman 14th. … “We should have another winning record in 2021,” Snyder said.
HILL SCHOOL
Coach: Dan McMains, 12th year.
Last year’s record: No season in 2020.
Runners to watch: Colette Zidek, Jr.; M.K. Barnhart, So.
Outlook: The Blues’ roster is bolstered by the addition of freshman Lauren Kuppinen. … “The team has several talented runners,” McMains said, “and if we can all improve together to create a strong pack, we will be competitive. Staying healthy and developing our whole team to run as a group will be vital to the success of the season.”
METHACTON
Coach: Steve Mahan, 38th year.
Last year’s record: 5-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Mackenzie Clark, Sr.; Iris Gong, Sr.; Devon Petrei, Sr.; Delaney Smith, Sr.; Brianna Christmann, Jr.; Catherine Koran, Jr.; Bipasha Moktan, Jr.; Molly Thomas, So.
Outlook: The Warriors’ roster is bolstered by the addition of freshmen Annabell Caldwell and Elizabeth Steiner. … Clark, Gong and Petrei will serve as team captains this fall. … Smith comes to the program from playing field hockey and Koran is a transfer from Massachusetts. … Thomas was the team’s highest district finisher, placing 32nd in the AAA field. … “This team has been focused on its approach to training and racing,” Mahan said. “They have been dedicated to Their training during the “Summer Miles” and pre-season part of the cross country schedule. Another exciting aspect is the addition of 16 “new” runners to this team. We always hope to develop some cross country racing toughness and make our opponents compete when they meet us out on a course.”
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Head Coach: Tim Marcoe, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 6-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Abby Norton, Sr.; Grace Fennell, Jr.; Maggie Lustig, Jr.; Claire Zubey, Jr.; Ava Taylor, So.; Danielle Nemeth, Soph.
Outlook: The Wildcats’ roster is bolstered by the addition of freshmen Khya D’Angelo, Jane Kratz, Sienna Lehman and Kaitlin McGuire. … Zubey returns as the team’s leading runner, a runner-up at districts in 2020. Maggie Lustig placed 40th in the AAA race. … “The girls are looking forward to building on the success of their top-5 finish at last year’s district championship,” Marcoe said. “Our goal is to compete well at each meet this season and continually improve as the season progresses. We want to practice and race to the best of our ability each time out, so that we are as prepared as possible for the championship season.”
PERKIOMEN SCHOOL
Coach: Jacob Wells. first year.
Last year’s record: No season in 2020.
Runners to watch: Laurel Reese, Sr.; Brianna Jones, Jr.
Outlook: “One major goal for the season is to have fun and strengthen the program after COVID-19 made cross country running difficult for everyone,” Wells said. “I hope to instill some traditions and memorable experiences for the athletes this year that will carry over to future seasons with the team. Lastly, I want our upper class athletes to have a fantastic season so they can fondly remember their time running cross country, even during a pandemic.
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Coach: Ryan Sullivan, 19th year.
Last year’s record: 7-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Megan Furlong, Sr.; Audrey Liberi, Jr.; Elyse Tancini, Jr.; Summer Watts, Jr.; Sydney Fitzpatrick, So.; Allie Hurd, So.; Denise Hurd, So.; Sienna Miller, So.
Outlook: The Vikings roster is bolstered by the addition of freshmen Allie Matasich and Emerson Whetstone. … Miller and Watts finished a respective ninth and 11th in last year’s District 1-AAA meet. “The girls return five out of seven top runners and have a wonderful incoming class of freshman to round out a very talented team,” Sullivan Said. “They enjoyed a productive summer of training, led by Summer Watts and Sienna Miller. We’re looking forward to the challenge of defending our PAC 12 title, continuing unbeaten streak for third consecutive season and improving upon our third place finish in District 1.”
PHOENIXVILLE
Coach: Eric Sprenkle, fourth year.
Last year’s record: No PAC competition in 2020.
Runners to watch: Griane Reed, Sr.; Nevaya Carr, Jr.; Alyssa Cunningham, Jr.; Anna Carruthers, So.; Kenzie Padilla, So.
Outlook: Padilla and Cunningham were a respective 27th and 42nd in the District 1-AAA race last year. … “The team is excited to get back into competitions and has been training hard to put together one of our strongest teams in recent history,” Sprenkle said. “Both as a whole team and as individuals, we are aiming to reach new personal bests at large races. The leadership of our upperclassmen captains, Griane Reed and Alyssa Cunningham, will be critical to help direct our young team’s energy towards the high goals we have set.”
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Coach: Lisa Cagliola, fourth year.
Last year’s record: No PAC competition in 2020.
Runners to watch: Gianna Cagliola, Sr.; Colleen Schiele, Sr.; Katy Todd, Sr.; Ava McNicholas, So.; Hannah Satalin, Fr.
Outlook: The Golden Panthers roster is bolstered with the addition of freshman Hannah Satalin. … Cagliola, with her District 1-AA meet championship, and Todd, who finished third, also medalled in the PIAA Class AA race with respective finishes of 22nd and 24th. … “We hope to repeat our 2019 success in the Frontier Division when we went 5-0, and top 4 in the conference championship,” Coach Cagliola said. “With 2 AA girls teams qualifying for states, our goal is to qualify as a team for states … if not as a team, then with some individual qualifiers. Gianna Cagliola will be defending her 2020 individual district championship and Katy Todd hopes to better her 3rd place finish from districts last season.”
POTTSGROVE
Coach: Toni Crater, first year.
Last year’s record: 0-7 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Noelle Barone, Jr.; Riley McLaughlin, Jr.; Isabella Kerlin, So.; Fatima Sesay, So.
Outlook: Crater takes over the head coach’s post from Larry Rechtin, who steps down after 31 seasons. Rechtin, however, remains with the program in an assistant’s capacity. … “Our numbers are very small,” Crater said, “but these girls show up to work and improve each day. Still looking for a girl to step into that number-five role for us. They all ran consistently over the summer and are also determined to help rebuild the PGXC program. I am very excited to see how this group develops over the next two years.”
POTTSTOWN
Coach: Stephanie Konnick, third year.
Last year’s record: No season in 2020.
Runners to watch: Ariana Torres, Sr.; Lily Fetterman, Jr.; Mia Bolman, So.; LaRayna Rosado, So.
Outlook: Konnick is cheered by the fact there are seven runners on the 2021 Trojan squad. “I’m excited we have a full girls team,” she said. “We had only two or three the last couple years.”
SPRING-FORD
Coach: Dave Cain, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 2-5 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Julia Breisch, Sr.; Kayla Croiger, Sr.; Alexandra Fenske, Sr.; Amanda Mulhall, Sr.; Abigail Duersch, Jr.; Mckenzie Thomas, Jr.; Caley Kuestner, So.; Cameron Madsen, So.; Sarah Trimble, So.
Outlook: “The team is led by senior Julia Breisch, junior Abigail Duersch and junior Mckenzie Thomas. … “This is a young team with some promising talent,” Cain said. “They are learning to run as a group and push each other to the next level.”
UPPER MERION
Coach: Kriston Jae Bethel, fourth year.
Last year’s record: 1-6 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Anna Fleischer, Jr.; Joy Lu, So.
Outlook: “This year has the largest number of girls this team has seen in years, the overwhelming majority of which are freshmen and sophomores,” Bethel said. “There’s a huge amount of potential here and we’ve already seen this young team start to come together, with runners already stepping up their workouts. There are still a lot of question marks this early in the season, but I’m excited to see how all of these ladies develop through the season and over the coming years.”
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Coach: Todd Niemann, 19th year.
Last Year’s record: 3-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Runners to watch: Abigaile Fox, Sr.; Ava Reil, Sr.; Abigail Conti, Jr.; Tia Lester, Jr.; Lauren Donahue, So.; Nadia Frydlewicz, So.
Outlook: The Indians roster is bolstered by the addition of freshman Maren Landis. … “We are excited for the future of the girls team which has several 1st time and returning underclassmen that will make the team much improved from years past,” Niemann said. “We look forward to having a normal season, including running at some pretty competitive invitationals.”
