BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM CAPSULES
Below are the 2011 boys cross country team capsules for the high schools located in the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage region. Capsules compiled by NOS staff. Coaches wishing to submit additional information can do so by e-mailing senior editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or results@northoaklandsports.com
SCHOOL: Auburn Hills Avondale
HEAD COACH: Kim Kutchmann, second season.
LEAGUE: Fifth at OAA Blue Division league meet (112 points); fifth in final league standings (111 points).
COUNTY: 31st at county meet (848 points).
REGIONAL: Seventh at D-2 Linden regional (199 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Nathan Chapman, sr. (all-state in three events in track; 17:37); Alex Klusman, sr. (18:14); Reed Heaton, soph. (18:47); Connor O’Hora, soph. (19:06); James Saylor, soph. (19:08).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Ben Hoffman, fr.; George Fonville, fr.; Geoffrey Wilston, sr.
KEY LOSSES: Zac Miklja (51st at state; 16:29; regional champ); Jon Walker (19:46).
NOTABLES: Despite graduating its top runner, Avondale is a team back on the rise with several quality sophomores and freshmen in the mix; several runners are playing dual sports, doubling up between cross country and soccer.
SCHOOL: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
HEAD COACH: Bryan Crump
LEAGUE: 11-3 overall in duals; third at MIAC league meet.
COUNTY: 37th at county meet (1,072 points).
REGIONAL: Third at D-4 Grosse Pointe South regional (94 points); advanced to state meet on sixth-runner tie-breaker over Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest.
STATE: 25th at D-4 state finals (633 points).
OTHER: Third at Oakland Christian Invite.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Josh Peterson, sr. (17:42; all-league); Adam Exelby, sr. (18:01; all-league); Chris Krieg, jr. (19:28); Tyler Crump, jr. (21:04); Bill Brocher, soph. (21:30); Nathan Showalter, sr. (20:38); Brandon Lucas, soph. (21:13)
OTHERS TO WATCH: Chasen Massey, soph. (also plays soccer); Dylan Algate, fr.
KEY LOSSES: Chris Pope, jr. (19:17; moved to China).
NOTABLES: This team squeaked into the state finals last season after edging Lutheran Northwest on the tie-breaker and six of the top seven are back. If the Lancers can collectively lower their times throughout the lineup, they can expect higher finishes at meets this season compared to last year and another state finals berth is reachable.
EYES ON THE FINISH: Clarkston's SamTanielian and Oxford's Alec Smith are both key runners for their respective schools this season. File Photo | Dan Stickradt
SCHOOL: Clarkston
HEAD COACH: Mike Taylor, 30th season.
LEAGUE: Third at OAA Red Division league meet (84 points); third in final league standings (15 points).
COUNTY: 13th at county meet (380 points).
REGIONAL: Fourth place at D-1 Goodells Regional (117 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Sam Tanielian, jr.; Adam Bruderick, sr; Daniel Byrne, sr. (currently injured); Nick Moore, jr.; Austin Draving, jr.; Ian Brennan, sr.; Michael Culver, sr.; Nathan Ross, sr.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Dan Billette, Jake Streng, Sam Lanker, Aaron Toth, Patrick O’Conner, Tyler Dunn, Hank Grogan.
KEY LOSSES: Jake Brokenshaw, Jeremy Kelly.
NOTABLES: When healthy, Clarkston may have a team that could battle for a state finals pass at the Algonac regional, along with Lake Orion, Romeo, Oxford, Rochester Adams and Rochester Stoney Creek. Five of the top seven are back, there is better depth this season and two runners capable of running with the top pack. If Byrne can bounce back healthy by mid-season and everyone else improves, this team will be a to watch.
SCHOOL: Holly
HEAD COACH: Rich Brinker.
LEAGUE: Fourth at Flint Metro League championships (112 points); fourth overall in the final standings (24 points).
COUNTY: Did not compete.
REGIONAL: Eleventh at D-1 Bay City Western regional (284 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Luke Scherwin (16:50; all-league; ran 1:56 in 800 meters last track season); Steven Domagalski, soph. (18:30); Nick Myers, jr. (18:30); Vince Cantu, soph. (first-year); Hunter Spurgeon, jr. (18:50); Gabe Miller, jr.; John Buttrey, sr. (19:38); Thomas Mullen, soph.( 18:42); Greg Hooper, sr. (17:43).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Austin Nicholson, fr.; Alex Tocco, sr.; Colin Brown, jr.
KEY LOSSES: Michael McCarty (17:17); David Nixon (17:44); Keon Ellison (18:56); Steven Domagalski (19:26).
NOTABLES: The Bronchos are thin on numbers as only 12 boys are on the team. Holly likely won’t be a title contender in the FML but does have a couple of talented individuals that are hoping for state qualifying performances in October.
PACK LEADER: Lake Orion junior T.j.Carey is one of the state's top runners and hopes to lead the Dragons to several championships this season. File Photo | Dan Stickradt
SCHOOL: Lake Orion
HEAD COACH: Stan Ford, 32nd season.
LEAGUE: OAA Red Division (won both league jamborees, league meet with 48 points and finished first in final standings with 24 total points last season).
COUNTY: Fifth at county meet (202 points).
REGIONAL: Second at D-1 Goodells Regional (86 points).
STATE: 17th place at D-1 state finals (408 points).
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: TJ Carey, jr. (two-time all-state; missed most of track season); David Diaz, soph. (first-year runner who played football last season; 4:32 in 1,600 as freshman); Justin Prawdzik, sr.; George Modrak, sr.; Aaron Kaufmann, sr.; Ryan Singles, sr.; Jacob Houlihan, jr.; Terry Rydquist, soph.; Thomas Connolly, jr.; Matt Moreman, jr.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Michael Woodhull, fr.; Chad Fields, fr.; Zac Sielko, fr.;
Niko Roukounakis, soph.; Craig Yanuszeski, jr.; Justin Walukonis, soph.; Nick Lorant, soph.; Tony Schipani, jr.; Dan Pentis, soph.; Phil Marney, soph.; Michael Bonnici, soph.; Michael Zielinsky, soph.; Jarrett Bussell, fr.
KEYLOSSES: Jake Lauka (16:15); Brad Cross (16:49); Tom Reilly (16:49).
NOTABLES: The defending league champions, who have also qualified for the state finals eight straight years, are heavy favorites to win the league again this season with exceptional depth and quality runners in all four grades. The Dragons already have two runners in the 16s, seven in the 17s, five in the 18s, and 10 others in the 19s. The squad is also very young with very few seniors in the top 20 and only four seniors in the top 10. The Dragons could very well return to the top 10 in the state by season’s end after finishing only 17th last season.
SCHOOL: Ortonville Brandon
HEAD COACH: Not available.
LEAGUE: Sixth at Flint Metro League championships (134 points); fifth in final league standings (18 points).
COUNTY: Did not compete.
REGIONAL: 11th at D-1 Goodells Regional (302 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Jacob Dolecki, sr. (18:21); Craig Matthews, jr. (18:41);
OTHERS TO WATCH: Anthony Gorney, sr. (20:06).
KEY LOSSES: Dan Penix (16:59; third at league meet); Mike Zimmerman (17:05; fifth at league meet); Austin Bryce, Ronnie Bourdeau.
NOTABLES: The Blackhawks were a middle of the road team last season and lost four of their top six runners from last season to graduation.
SCHOOL: Oxford
HEAD COACH: Ray Sutherland.
LEAGUE: Third at OAA White Division league meet (66 points); third in final league standings (16 points).
COUNTY: 12th at county meet (344 points).
REGIONAL: Seventh at D-1 Goodells Regional (153 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Ryan Gillespie, jr.; Alec Smith, sr.; Ross Chapman, jr.; Aaron Pletta, jr.; Noah Jenkins, soph.; Connor McGarry, soph.; Joey Ufolia, soph.; Adam Kemp, soph.; Ricky Dvorak, soph.; Jonathan Pletta, jr.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Kyle Feeney, soph.; Logan Bruni, soph; Jacob Cutler, jr.
KEYLOSSES: Dylan Smith (16:32; state qualifier) Curtis Kocher (17:08); Shane Kerbelis.
NOTABLES: The Wildcats competed fairly well in the OAA White Division after nearly three decades in the Flint Metro League and now bump up to the OAA-Red this season. Oxford is young but should be a top 10 program in Oakland County and finish in the top half of the OAA-Red with a deep and talented team. This is a program on the rise and definitely a team that could contend with Lake Orion, Romeo, Clarkston, Rochester Adams and Rochester Stoney Creek for a state finals berth at the Algonac-hosted Goodells regional in late October.
SCHOOL: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
HEAD COACH: Adam Frezza.
LEAGUE: CHSL-AA Division
COUNTY: 40th place.
REGIONAL: 12th at D-2 Linden regional (249 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Eric Autio, soph. (18:38); Nathan Rutila, jr.; (20:05); Troy Kauffman; Brandan O’Neil; Danny Hogan, soph.; Luke Brennan; Josh Fullerton; John Ireland, sr. (20:05); Parker Weaver, jr.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Dane Brennan; Gil Guthrie.
KEY LOSSES: Jordan Baginski (18:08); Brett Kramer (19:03);Harold Rutila (19:31)
NOTABLES: With a very young team with most of the roster running in the 19s or low 20s, this is slated for a rebuilding season for the Fighting Irish.
SCHOOL: Rochester
HEAD COACH: Larry Adams, 16th season.
LEAGUE: Fifth at OAA Red Division league meet (91 points); fourth in final league standings (8 points).
COUNTY: 15th at county meet (427 points).
REGIONAL: Eighth at D-1 Goodells Regional (169 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Blake Pozolo, jr. (state qualifier; 96th at state meet, 16:23); Ryan Freeland, sr.; Drew Hagge, jr.; Aaron Walker, sr. (17:07); Dylan Smith, fr.; Gavan Kata, jr.; Ludi Clavette, soph. (17:34).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Grant McPherson, soph.; Kushal Jaligama, fr.; Riku Higashi, soph.; Alec Brabandt, soph.
KEY LOSSES: Jackson Gilbert (16:57); Craig Renny, sr. (17:45); Brian Beecher (17:20).
NOTABLES: Rochester’s numbers have dropped to 22 male runners, so the Falcons are very thin on the depth chart; this is also a young team with several sophomores and freshmen, so a bottom half finish in the league and a middle-of-the-pack finish at the regional meet is a realistic goal at best.
SCHOOL: Rochester Adams
HEAD COACH: Budd Cicciarelli, 30th season.
LEAGUE: Fourth at OAA Red Division league meet (94 points); fourth in final league standings (12 points).
COUNTY: 17th at county meet (474 points).
MOVING RIGHT ALONG: Rochester Adams junior Stephen Biebelhausen is eying another state finals berth this season and is the Highlanders' top runner. File Photo | Dan Stickradt
REGIONAL: Fifth place at D-1 Goodells Regional (124 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
OTHER FINISHES: Third at Adams Invite; Sixth at West Bloomfield Invite; 18th at Spartan Invite; seventh at Shamrocks Invite; fifth at Goodrich Invite.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Stephen Biebelhausen, jr.; (16:04; 45th at state) Dylan Oppenheiser, sr. (16:26; 103rd at state); Alec Potoniec, jr. (17:28); C sr. (17:52); Chris Santella, sr. (17:52); Johnny Shepherd, sr. (17:58); Mike Gaduski, jr. (18:38);Sean LeBlanc, jr.(18:40).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Quinton Mack, soph. (17:28; injured); Justin Schofield, jr. (18:50);
KEY LOSSES: Theo Thompson (16:46); Cam McBride (17:32).
NOTABLES: There are over 40 bodies on the team but a lot of unproven talent; Cicciarelli expects a middle-of-the-pack finish unless some of the athletes shave off great amounts of time throughout the course of the season. The Highlanders are again in a deep Algonac-hosted regional at Goodells.
SCHOOL: Rochester Stoney Creek
HEAD COACH: Jed Kramer.
LEAGUE: Won OAA White Division league meet (28 points); finished first in final league standings (24 points).
COUNTY: Third at county meet (136 points).
REGIONAL: First place at D-1 Goodells Regional (79 points).
STATE: 12th at D-1 state finals (327 points).
OTHER: Second At Adams Invite; eighth at MSU Spartan Invite; Second at Armada Old Skool Classic; won Oxford Invitational.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Eli Nasr, sr. (16:07); Chris Tsivitse, jr. (16:35); Matt Rolanin, sr. (17:04); Eric Boyle, soph. (17:36); Philip Mai, soph. (17:49); Eric Autio, soph. (18:00); Anthony Kowalchick, sr. (18:31).
OTHERS TO WATCH: There are 50 boys on the team and several fighting for the final couple spots on varsity.
KEY LOSSES: Brandon Townsend, jr. (league champion, sixth at regional; ran 16:09 last season, but moved back to Ohio); Austin Tretheway (16:05); Dan Moore (17:08).
NOTABLES: The Cougars had perhaps their best season to date in 2010, winning league and regional titles, finishing third in Oakland County and 12th at the D-1 state finals. Three of the top six runners have departed, so the Cougars have some shoes to fill competing in the rugged OAA-Red and a very deep regional out near Port Huron.
SCHOOL: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest
HEAD COACH: Karl Weber.
LEAGUE: MIAC.
COUNTY: Tied for 40th at county meet (no team score).
REGIONAL: Fourth at D-4 Grosse Pointe South regional (94 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Cameron Santangelo, soph. (17:45; state qualifier); Malcom Hall, soph. (20:31); Steven Vandervoord, jr. (21:31); Matthew Stolzenfeld, jr.; Alex Irwin, sr.; Andrew Abraham, fr.; Jacob Ennis, soph.
KEY LOSSES: Nathan Stolzenfeld (66th at state; 17:37); Nate Nimtz (19:48); Greg Vandervoord.
NOTABLES: This team missed out on a state berth after tying with Oakland Christian for third at the regional with 94 points but losing out on the sixth-man tie-breaker. Three of the top seven have graduated, so newer faces will have to step up this season if the Crusaders are to have a chance.
SCHOOL: Troy
HEAD COACH: Eric Prowse, eighth season.
LEAGUE: Sixth at OAA Red Division league meet (114); sixth in final league standings (5 points).
COUNTY: 16th at county meet (445 points).
REGIONAL: 10th place (219 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: William Yau, sr. (16:24); Alex Miros, sr. (17:37); Danny O’Donovan, sr. (17:50); Christian Harnishfeger, soph. (17:34; state qualifier in golf); Christian Przeslawski, jr. (17:50); Ryan Gray, jr. (18:10); Mark House, jr. (18:13).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Kunal Tangri, fr. (ran 4:40 as an eighth grader in 1,600 meters); Achilles Kossuth, jr. (4:45 in 1,600); Joe McConachie, fr.; Ananya Shah, fr.
KEY LOSSES: Dillon Jaghory, sr.; Jeremy Hepner (17:42); Chris Hoef (18:02); Adam Cowherd (18:30).
NOTABLES: The Colts have only one way to go but up and they finished last in the OAA Red Division last season. There are seven of the top 10 runners back and if the pack improves, then Troy’s stock will rise. Troy has one of the top runners in the area in Yau, who is in the Colts’ top five for the fourth straight season.
SCHOOL: Troy Athens
HEAD COACH: Mike Stallsmith, 15th season.
LEAGUE: Fourth at OAA White Division league meet (83 points); fourth in final league standings (12 points).
COUNTY: 14th at county meet (405 points).
REGIONAL: Eighth at D-1 Linden regional (203 points).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: J.D. Sterba, sr. (17:19); Vlad Jdanov, sr. (17:53);; Kevin Lalko, sr. (19:20); Mihir Bhatnager, jr. (19:30); Dylan Tramel, sr. (19:37); David Hanley, sr. (19:50).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Ryan Mooney, fr. (ran 10:37 in 3,200 as eighth grader).
KEY LOSES: Addison Ng (17:15); Brandon Wernette (17:20); Andres Espinoza (17:19); Justin Krolik (17:30).
NOTABLES: Athens was competitive the second half of last season despite not having a dominant runner, but must replace four of the top seven. There is a talented freshman in the group who could be amongst the area’s top ninth graders this season and should be in the Red Hawks’ top five.
SCHOOL: Troy Christian Leadership Academy
COACH: Not available.
NOTABLES: The Defenders are a first-year program with only a small group of boys and girls runners.
SCHOOL: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-
Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified
HEAD COACH: Not available.
LEAGUE: CHSL Tri-Sectional (did not score at last year’s league meet).
COUNTY: Tied for 40th at county meet (no team score).
REGIONAL: Tied for ninth at D-4 Grosse Pointe South regional (no team score).
STATE: Did not qualify.
PROJECTED TOP RUNNERS: Ryan Sullivan, jr. (state qualifier); Gabe Fenske, jr. (state qualifier).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Ian New, jr.; Cody Atkins, fr.; Drake Burtrum, soph.; Vince Frazer, jr.; Justin Grenn, jr.; Joe Trebrack, fr.; Berik Jarboe, soph.
NOTABLES: The Lakers only had two finishers at last year’s regional but both finished in the top 15 to advance to the D-4 state finals as individuals. At the recent Oakland University-hosted Golden Grizzlies Open, the Lakers had nine competitors, signaling a program on the rise.
Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, Auburn Hills Christian Acadamy, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Clarkston, Clarkston Everest Catholic, High School, Holly, Lake Orion, Ortonville Brandon, Oxford, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Rochester Stoney Creek, Troy, Troy Athens, Troy Christian Leadership Acadamy, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
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