A look at area cross country teams
Area teams hit the course for cross country season
Dock returns to the course this fall a year more experienced, and its pack even tighter.
“We have a good core of returning boys,” Pioneers coach Justin Feil said. “We have some very experienced seniors, a couple of sophomores who were terrific for us last year, and then some motivated newcomers who will help.
“We’ll have some good competition among the team for our top seven spots. The great thing is we have a whole team of boys who will work hard during the season. Top to bottom, it’s one of our best teams in recent years.”
Wissahickon, Hatboro-Horsham and Upper Dublin are part of a strong Suburban
One League American Conference while North Penn aims to defend its title in a rugged SOL Continental.
“Our brand new leadership group will be challenged this year in an always very tough Suburban One League,” Knights coach Mike Werner said. “We are very much looking forward to competing, growing and improving throughout the season.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Central Bucks West
Coach: John Mahoney (third season). Key Performers Lost: Luke Cimakasky; Bret Hatzinger; Jason Miller; Luke Cimakasky; Bret Hatzinger; Jason Miller; Paul Nicholas. Key Returners: Eric Mass, Jr.; Nikolaus Mangeot, Jr.; Alex Hartin, Sr.; Liam Price, Sr.; Brennan Wellock, Jr.; Conor Gross, Sr.; Carter Fitzgerald, Jr.; Mateo Testani, Sr.; Michael Greco, Sr.; Julien Mackensen, Sr.; Ani Nangunoori, Sr. Outlook for the Season: The Bucks lost a lot to graduation but have a solid nucleus to build around. Mangeot was ninth last year at the SOL Continental meet.
Dock Mennonite
Coach: Justin Feil (sixth season). Last Year’s Record: 3-6. Key Performers Lost: Jonathan Anderson, Nick Halstead, Jesse Mong, Jacob Sprague, Jacob Schimek. Key Returners: Josh Bauman, Sr., Aaron Lee, Sr., Sean Robinson, Sr., Ben German, Jr., Drew Bauman, So., Daniel Ringenberg, So. Others to Watch: Stanley St. Fleur, Sr., Trevor Godshall, Jr., Anthony Bernardo, So., Christopher Moore, Fr.
Outlook for the Season: Dock should challenge for the BAL title and be a force in District 1-2A.
Hatboro-Horsham
Coach: D.J. Fromal.
Key Performers Lost: Jaylen Lasseter; Stefano Isabella; Lars Knudsen.
Key Returners: Devon Comber, Sr.; Brian DiCola, So. Outlook for the Season: Comber and DiCola went one and two at the SOL American meet, providing the Hatters a nice onetwo punch this fall. They lost a lot of seniors from the team that finished first at the conference race, but should be strong up front.
North Penn
Coach: Mike Werner (12th season). Last Year’s Record: 7-1 overall; 5-1 SOL Continental; SOL Continental Champions. Key Performers Lost: Noah Demis, Samir Razi, Erik Kull, Matt Long, Dylan Reid, Brian Toto. Key Returners: Ian Kelly, Gavin Zanck, Karl Schafsteller, Sean Fisher, Jack Shive, Logan McHenry, Colin Fisher, Matt Landis.
Others to Watch: Md Kaba, Jr.; Md Mollah, Sr.; Ethan Buera, Sr.; Elliot Buera, Sr. Outlook for the Season: The Knights should again challenge for the conference title and be a team to watch in the postseason.
Pennridge
Coach: Terry Permar (25th season).
Last Year’s Record: 2-4 in the SOL Continental. Key Performers Lost: Ethan Saville, Jacob Kascsak. Key Returners: Diego Lera-Lozano, Sr.; Rob Yochum, Sr.; Richard Loughran, Sr.
Others to Watch: Terence Grenda, Sr.; Ryan Martin, Jr.; Mason Nyce, Jr.; Luke Bailey, Jr.; Ryan Otto Jr. Coach Permar Says: “Wins and losses are hard to predict at this point without seeing any results from other teams. Diego is running well and we have some depth this year. But whether that depth is good enough to break up other teams’ third, fourth, and fifth runners and lead to a better winning percentage than last year, remains to be seen.”
Souderton
Coach: John Donahue (21st season).
Last Year’s Record: 3-6. Key Performers Lost: Cole Keel, Miles Bailey. Key Returners: Manny RotaTalirico, Jr.: Nic Morales, Sr.; Devon Mau, Jr.; Owen Hershberger, Sr.
Others to Watch: Nathan Fickert, So.; Aidan Kearns, Fr.; Sean Kaufman, Sr.; Aidan Cox, Sr.; Theo Coleman, Jr. Coach Donahue Says: “We are just hoping our season continues. The guys have been working so hard for the past two months and deserve it.”
Upper Dublin
Coach: Paul Vandegrift. Key Returners: James Fitzmaurice, Sr.; Oliver Griffin, Sr.; Jonas Andrulonis, Jr. Outlook for the Season: The Cardinals have experience on their side, returning three of their top five from last year.
Wissahickon
Coach: Bill Gallagher (38th season). Key Performers Lost: Hanson Leung, Solomon Thistle, Josh Chaiken, Caymus Ruffner, Michael Licata, Max Klugherz. Key Returners: Zac Dallal, Sr.; Alex Schultz, Jr.; Doug Hoyer, Jr. Outlook for the Season: Dallal placed ninth at the SOL American meet last year and should be one of the leaders up front.