Things are looking good for Oxford’s varsity cross country teams, particularly the girls squad.
‘I honestly think this is our best team since the (early) 1980s,? said Coach Ray Sutherland. ‘We’re going to be significantly better than last year. I think we’ll have seven or eight (girls) faster than our top four from last year.?
Leading the pack will be junior and team co-captain, Taylor Dewey. Last year, she finished the 5-kilometer (or 3.1-mile) run with the eighth fastest time in the school’s history.
But Dewey will face some stiff competition from sophomore Kate Wolanin, who Sutherland said is ‘right on her heels.?
‘I’m expecting those two to really be pushing for Number One,? he said.
Of Wolanin, Sutherland said, ‘She might be the best overall athlete we’ve ever had. I think she could do any sport she wanted to do. She’s that talented.?
Sophomore Shannon Seeley and freshman Megan Seeley are expected to be running third and fourth, respectively.
Sutherland said Shannon ‘barely made? the top seven runners last year, but this year ‘she pushing the top two. ‘She’s that much better,? he said.
Of Megan, the coach said she ‘runs like a deer.?
‘When she was an eighth-grader everybody called her the Energizer Bunny because she just kept going and going,? Sutherland explained. ‘She’s got no fear. She just thinks she should be out front. I’m not going to tell her she can’t be.?
Who’s going to be running fifth is a ‘toss up? between seniors Ellen Darnall (who’s also a co-captain) and Jordan Murray.
Darnall’s ‘running the best she’s run in her four-year career,? according to Sutherland.
As for Murray, she’s a ‘dark horse? pushing for one of the top four spots, even though she’s running fifth right now.
Seniors Kathryn Burt and Ashley Hansen along with juniors Danielle Kelley and Kelsea Schodowski are all working hard to be among top seven runners.
Senior Jessica Pyke and junior Jennifer Taraski could be ‘dark horses? for the top seven.
‘We have about 10-12 girls who have a real good shot at being in our top seven, so I’m really, really pleased with this team,? Sutherland said.
On the boys team, seniors and co-captains Ben Cole, Adam Heskitt and Andy Stein are leading the pack.
Cole is ‘running the best? right now, but Heskitt ‘is right on his heels,? according to Sutherland.
Stein has made a ‘huge improvement this year,? the coach said. ‘I’m really, really pleased with him.?
Sutherland is ‘expecting to see good things out of? senior Mike Brendel, who’s running fourth, but might have a shot at being third. ‘He’s injured right now. We’re hoping he can come back,? Sutherland noted.
Senior Matt Deighton and junior Chase Tucker are working hard to be in the top five while senior John Elin and sophomore Stuart Sanchez compete to round out the top seven.
Freshmen Doug Chowanic, Shane Kerbelis, Dylan Smith and Brent Womble are all ‘working hard,? noted Sutherland.
‘It will be interesting to see how those young kids add to the team,? he said.
As always, Sutherland is extremely proud of his kids? accomplishments in the classroom. Last year, his 40-plus runners had a combined grade point average that was above 3.6.
Sutherland’s also quite proud of the good decisions they make in their personal lives.
‘I’ve never had anybody use drugs or cigarettes in or out season in the 25 years I’ve been coaching,? he said.
He attributes all this to the kids keeping their priorities straight. Home comes first, then school, then cross country.
‘We’ve been very successful with that philosophy,? Sutherland said.
Sutherland is grateful to once again have his assistant coach Elmer Ball at his side. ‘He taught me how to coach 35 years ago,? he said, noting the assistant part is ‘on paper only.?
‘We both coach,? Sutherland said.
Sutherland is also glad to have so much support from parents.
‘They show up to all the meets with food for the kids,? he said. ‘Almost every eighth of a mile you see Oxford people all over the place.?
Parents bring treats for after practice, host a team picnic at the last home dual meet of the season and organize cross country’s end-of-the-season banquet at Addison Oaks every year.
By doing all these ‘extras,? Sutherland said the parents allow him to coach and be there for the kids.
The boys and girls teams? first meet is against Rochester Adams Aug. 30 at Bloomer Park.