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All-Area Boys Cross Country 2011: Lead runners step up to lead pack

| December 20, 2011 | Comments (4)

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

There’s rarely a year where an area runner doesn’t shine on the state level. This year was no exception to the rule. As again several area athletes performed at a high level.

There were five local runners that finished at the top 30 at the state finals to earn all-accolades runners, plus two others that finished in the top 50 at the state. Beyond that there were over 30 runners with ties to the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage area that qualified at the state meet with several others that put in quality efforts at a variety of large meets throughout the season.

All of the area’s top runners are found on the 2011 All-North Oakland Area Boys Cross Country Team, selected by area coaches in conjunction with NOS staff. The All-Area squad is broken into a first-team and second-team, plus honorable mention.

Below are the profiles of the best of the pack, the 10-member All-Area First Team:

TJ CAREY, Lake Orion: After a bout with mononucleosis sidelined Carey for the final month of the track season, Carey rebounded to have a fine season in cross country. Finishing in the top 10 in every race this season, Carey won all three OAA Red Division races this season, to go along with wins at the West Bloomfield Invitational Division I race and Goodells regional. The junior was also second at the Holy Invitational, eighth at the Oakland County meet and finished fourth at the Division 1 state finals in 15:32.

“T.J. came back from last spring and really worked hard to have a great junior season,” said coach Stan Ford. “He was undefeated in our league and was top-10 at every race this season. The past two years he was 25th at the state finals and even though his time was better as a sophomore than to his freshman year, he was still 25th. This season he took a great step forward and was top-five at the state meet. He has big goals of doing very well in track next spring.”

Clarkston's Sam Tanielian is one of 10 members of the 2011 All-North Oakland Area Boys Cross Country First Team. File Photo

SAM TANIELIAN, Clarkston: This junior emerged as the Wolves’ top runner this season and helped Clarkston qualify for the state finals for the first time in three years.  Tanielian opened the year by finishing second at the Corunna Invitational and followed that up with seven other top 30 finishes. He was ninth at the first OAA Red Division Jamboree, fourth at the second league jamboree and third at the league met. Tanielian also ran fifth at the MSU Spartans Invitational Green race, 13th at the county meet, third at the Goodells regional and 27th at the Division 1 state finals (15:54), a career-best effort.

DAVID DIAZ, Lake Orion: Diaz clocked 4:32 in the 1,600 during his freshman track season, which turned on a light bulb that running might be a fruitful sport for this sophomore. Making the switch from football to cross country, Diaz made long strides this fall which finished up with him earning All-State accolades after finishing 20th overall in 15:56 at the Division 1 state meet. Diaz opened the season by finishing only 26th at the West Bloomfield Invitational Division I race and was 13th at the Holly Invitational Division I race to set the stage for vast improvement. He was 26th at the count meet, ran fifth at the first OAA-Red Jamboree, eighth at the second OAA-Red Jamboree and seventh at the league meet.

Lake Orion junior T.J.Carey was the area's top finisher at the Division 1 state finals, crossing fourth. File Photo

“We talked after the track season and David realized that he has the capability of being a really good runner, so he made the switch to cross country,” said Ford. “He started kind of slow, but by the end of the season he was an all-state runner. There’s really no telling how good he can become over the next couple of years. He came a really long way this past season alone.”

STEPHEN BIEBELHAUSEN, Rochester Adams: A three-time state qualifier, Biebelhausen continued to improve during his junior season. He had had eight top-30 finishes before finishing 68th at the Midwest Meet of Champions. Biebelhausen was ninth at the MSU-Spartans Elite race and 10th at the West Bloomfield Invitational Division I meet early in the season and maintained that pace. He was second and third at the two OAA Red Division Jamboree races and fifth at the OAA-Red league meet. He was also fifth at the county meet, second at the Goodells regional and 21st at the Division 1 state finals (15:57).

WILLIAM YAU, Troy: A senior and four-year varsity veteran, this Yau joined his older brother, James Yau, as an All-State runner, crossing the line 30th at the Division 1 state meet in 16:01. This season Yau placed seventh at the West Bloomfield Invitational Division I race, third at the first OAA Red Division Jamboree and second at both the second league jamboree and league meet. Yau was also seventh at the county meet and third at the Waterford Mott regional.

“Will has been an accomplished four year runner,” said coach Eric Prowse. “He had a setback last year due to health issues and was unable to qualify for states. This year he ran very consistent, and was able to finish 30th at the State Meet. He is a great athlete and teammate. He was one of our captains this year and was always doing whatever he could to get the best out of himself and teammates. It was honor for the past six years to coach both him and his older brother, James Yau.”

Rochester Adams junior Stephen Biebelhausenmad ethe cut to the All-Area First Team for the third straight season after garnering All-State accolades in Division 1 for the first time this season. File Photo.

RYAN GILLESPIE, Oxford: The Wildcats made huge strides as a team this season and Gillespie was much improved as an individual during his junior season. Gillespie ran third at the West Bloomfield Invitational Division II race and claimed seventh, sixth and 12th at the three OAA Red Division events. Gillespie also ran 27th at the county championships, was fourth at the Goodells regional and 40th at the Division 1 state finals in 16:12, his best effort of his season.

DYLAN OPPENHEISER, Rochester Adams: This senior blasted onto the radar as one of the area’s best after being a middle-of-the-pack performer last season. He saved his best for last, running 16:13 at the Division 1 state finals and finishing 41st overall. Oppenheiser was only 72nd at the MSU-Spartans Invitational Elite race at the beginning of the season and moved up the pack, finishing 11th at the first OAA-Red Jamboree and ninth at both the second league jamboree and league meet. He was also 30th at the county meet and 13th at the Goodells regional.

BLAKE POZOLO, Rochester: A junior, Pozolo had a fine sophomore track season and came into the cross country season developing into a fine overall runner. He was sixth at the MSU-Spartans Invite Green race and followed that up by placing fourth, fifth and fourth at the three OAA Red Division events. He was also 12th at the county meet and ninth at the Goodells regional but had an off day at the Division 1 state finals by taking 72nd (16:25).

“Blake was one of the best runners in the OAA this season, but now he has to step it up a notch to becoming one of the best in the state in track and next season in cross country,” said coach Larry Adams. “He’s very consistent but I think he’s capable of being an even better runner.”

ALEC SMITH, Oxford: This senior became a first-time state qualifier by crossing 14th at the Goodells regional and then followed that up by finishing 86th at the Division 1 state finals (16:32) to crack the school’s all-time top-10 list. Smith was fifth at the West Bloomfield Invitational Division II meet, finished 10th and 11th at the two OAA Red Division Jamboree meets and eighth at the league meet. He was only 51st at the county meet.

AUSTIN DRAVING:, Clarkston: This senior’s season was cut short where he suffered an ankle sprain halfway through the Division 1 Goodells regional race, which kept him from the state meet. Draving still had a solid season, crossing 19th at the West Bloomfield Invitational Division I race, 14th at the first OAA-Red Jamboree and 10th at both at the second league jamboree and league meet. At the county meet, he was 32nd overall.

COACH OF THE YEAR

MIKE TAYLOR, Clarkston: In over 30 years of coaching, Taylor has had several successful teams. The 2011 season was one of them, although the Wolves never got to see how good they really could be after as a revolving door of injuries kept several runners out of the lineup for stretches. Still, Taylor molded a fine unit into a state qualifying team and Clarkston wound up 14th at the Division 1 state finals with 370 points. The Wolves also won the second OAA Red Division Jamboree after finishing third at the first jamboree and finished second overall at the league meet and in the final division standings. Clarkston also ran fifth out of nearly 50 schools at the Oakland County meet and was second at the Goodells regional.

ALL-NORTH OAKLAND AREA 
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM 2011
FIRST TEAM
TJ Carey                       Lake Orion              Junior
Sam Tanielian                  Clarkston               Junior
David Diaz                     Lake Orion              Sophomore
Stephen Biebelhausen           Rochester Adams         Junior
William Yau                    Troy                    Senior
Ryan Gillespie                 Oxford                  Junior
Dylan Oppenheiser              Rochester Adams         Senior
Blake Pozolo                   Rochester               Junior
Austin Draving                 Clarkston               Senior
Alec Smith                     Oxford                  Senior
COACH OF THE YEAR

Mike Taylor                    Clarkston               30th Season
SECOND TEAM

Clarkston: Nick Moore, jr.; Adam Bruderick, sr.; Daniel Byrne, sr.; Mike Culver, sr.;
Holly: Luke Schwerin, sr.; Lake Orion: Ryan Singles, sr.; Justin Prawdzik, sr.; George
Mrodzak, sr.; Pontiac Notre Dame Prep: Troy Kaufmann, jr.; Rochester Stoney Creek: Eli
Nasr, sr.; Chris Tsivitse, jr.; Matt Rolanin, sr.
HONORABLE MENTIONS

Auburn Hills Avondale: Alex Klusman, jr.; Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: Josh
Peterson, sr.; Adam Creig, sr.; Clarkston: Ian Brennan, sr.; Lake Orion: Aaron
Kaufman, sr.; Jacob Houlihan, jr.; Ortonville Brandon: Joe Harse, jr.; Oxford: Ross
Chapman, jr.;Noah Jenkins, soph.; Logan Bruni, fr.; Pontiac Notre Dame Prep: Luke
Brennan, jr.; Rochester: Aaron Walker, sr.; Kushal Jaligama, fr.; Drew Hagge, jr.;
Dylan Smith, fr.; Rochester Adams: Johnny Shepherd, sr.; Connor Stevens, jr.;
Alec Potoniec, jr.; Rochester Stoney Creek: Eric Boyle, soph.; Rochester Hills 
Lutheran Northwest: Cameron Santangelo, soph.; Troy: Christian Harnishferger, soph.;
Kunal Tangri, fr.; Danny O’Donovan, sr.; Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified:
Ryan Sullivan, jr.; Gabe Fenske, jr.

To submit information to www.northoaklandsports.com, e-mail dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com.  To advertise, e-mail advertising@northoaklandsports.com . Follow us on Twitter @LocalSportsFans and more than a dozen other social media networks.

FOR MORE CROSS COUNTRY COVERAGE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Cross+country&x=11&y=10

* Have photos or video of this event that you wish to share? E-mail pertinent information to www.northoaklandsports.com Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com.

(To report varsity results, e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com or dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com )

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Category: All Area Teams, Auburn Hills Avondale, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Clarkston, Clarkston Everest Catholic, Editor's Column, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Holly, Lake Orion, Ortonville Brandon, Oxford, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Rochester Stoney Creek, Top Stories, Troy, Troy Athens, Uncategorized, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

About Dan Stickradt: DAN STICKRADT | SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com View author profile.

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  1. FALL SPORTS 2011 ALL-AREA TEAMS:

    ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/20/all-area-boys-cross-country-2011-lead-runners-step-up-to-lead-pack/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/20/all-area-girls-golf-2011-tournament-tested-golfers-headline-talented-squad/

    ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/12/19/all-area-boys-tennis-2011-top-flight-players-rule-area-courts/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: Dec. 21

    ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: Dec.22

    ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: Dec.23

    ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: Dec. 24

    ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Dec. 25

    SPRING SPORTS 2011 ALL-AREA TEAMS

    ALL-AREA BOYS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/06/all-area-boys-track-field-power-speed-highlight-postseason-squad/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/08/2011-all-area-girls-track-field-team-all-state-athletes-burnt-up-the-grand-oval/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS TENNIS TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/10/2011-all-area-girls-tennis-these-players-made-quite-the-racquet/

    ALL-AREA BOYS GOLF TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/11/2011-all-area-boys-golf-state-champion-oakland-christian-headlines-top-linkers/

    ALL-AREA BASEBALL TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/12/2011-all-area-baseball-diamond-squad-is-armed-and-lethally-dangerous/

    ALL-AREA SOFTBALL TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/15/2011-all-area-softball-all-around-talents-heat-up-the-diamond/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/20/2011-all-area-girls-soccer-highly-touted-players-showcased-on-postseason-squad/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS LACROSSE TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/18/2011-all-area-girls-lacrosse-rising-stars-abundant-in-state%E2%80%99s-fastest-growing-sport/

    AL-AREA BOYS LACROSSE TEAM: LINK: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/07/22/2011-all-area-boys-lacrosse-this-group-snatches-the-opposition-in-its-web/

    WINTER SPORTS ALL-AREA TEAMS 2010-2011

    Below are the links for the 2011 All-Area teams for the winter sports for the 2010-11 season:

    ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/18/2011-all-area-boys-basketball-coachable-players-help-yield-great-success/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/15/2524/

    ALL-AREA BOYS-GIRLS SKIING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/18/2011-all-area-ski-team-clarkston-lake-orion-head-up-talented-cast-of-ski-racers/

    ALL-AREA BOYS GIRLS BOWLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/17/2011-all-area-bowling-this-group-knocks-them-down-with-precision/

    ALL-AREA WRESTLING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/03/31/2011-all-area-wrestling-state-champions-head-up-deep-and-talented-group-of-matmen/

    ALL-AREA BOYS HOCKEY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/05/2011-all-area-boys-hockey-state-semifinalist-lake-orion-leads-talented-cast-on-the-ice/

    ALL-AREA BOYS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/04/16/2011-all-area-boys-swimming-diving-tankers-glide-to-plenty-of-success/

    FALL 2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS:

    ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/21/2010-all-area-football-weapons-on-both-sides-of-the-ball-spark-postseason-accolades/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/17/2010-all-area-girls-volleyball-this-team-brings-it-all-to-the-floor/

    ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/20/2010-all-area-boys-soccer-this-talented-group-has-all-the-accolades-to-prove-worth/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/30/2010-all-area-girls-swimming-diving-youth-is-served-in-area-pools/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/07/625/

    ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/15/2010-all-area-boys-tennis-team-this-unit-could-surely-swat-away-the-opposition/

    ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/19/2010-all-area-boys-cross-country-team-sophomores-pace-pack-of-talented-runners/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/19/2010-all-area-girls-cross-country-runners-join-the-front-pack-to-bring-home-accolades/

    SPRING 2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS:

    ALL-AREA BASEBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-baseball-big-bats-live-arms-headline-postseason-squad-1778.php

    ALL-AREA SOFTBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-softball-talented-cast-covers-all-the-bases-1773.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS SOCCER: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-soccer-talented-cast-can-do-it-all-1779.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS TRACK: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-track-field-this-fast-group-more-than-sizzled-up-the-grand-oval-1741.php

    http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/2010-all-area-girls-track-and-field-chart-1752.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS TRACK: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-track-field-these-thinclads-were-fast-to-the-finish-1750.php

    http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-track-field-chart-1751.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS GOLF: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-golf-consistency-the-key-for-arearsquos-top-golfers-1765.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS TENNIS: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-tennis-netters-serve-up-the-right-results-1769.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS LACROSSE: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-lacrosse-these-players-take-game-to-the-next-level-1774.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS LACROSSE: http://northoaklandsports.com/pages/posts/all-area-girls-lacrosse-talent-level-is-fast-rising-1777.php

    WINTER 2009-2010 ALL-AREA TEAMS

    ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-basketball-the-kings-of-the-court-have-arrived-1213.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-basketball-dominant-players-abound-on-hardcourt-1372.php

    ALL-AREA WRESTLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-wrestling-state-placers-are-the-class-of-this-talented-lineup-1377.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS HOCKEY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-hockey-all-state-honorees-headline-postseason-unit-1297.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS SWIMMING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-swimming-this-talent-pool-makes-a-big-splash-1419.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS BOWLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-bowling-this-team-knocks-down-the-opposition-1331.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS BOWLING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-bowling-this-group-found-the-right-alley-1330.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS SKIING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-boys-ski-team-underclassmen-headline-postseason-list-1095.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS SKIING: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/all-area-girls-ski-team-these-ski-racers-were-down-hill-in-a-flash-1101.php

    FALL 2009 ALL-AREA TEAMS (inaugural launch):

    ALL-AREA FOOTBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/pages/posts/armed-and-dangerous-.-big-offensive-weapons-bone-crushing-hitters-highlight-all-area-football-team-430.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: http://northoaklandsports.com/2011/01/17/flashback-2009-all-area-volleyball-players-hit-their-points-in-the-right-places/

    http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/smack-down-all-area-volleyball-players-hit-their-points-in-the-right-places-1738.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS SOCCER: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/dream-team-honorees-lead-all-area-boys-soccer-team-1739.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/30/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-swimming-team/

    http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/adams-stoney-creek-lead-all-area-girls-swimming-team-286.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/leaders-of-the-pack.frontrunners-head-up-all-area-boys-cross-country-team-279.php

    ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/13/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-cross-country-team-all-american-goethals-leads-talented-all-area-pack-of-runners/

    ALL-AREA GIRLS GOLF: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/07/flashback-2009-all-area-girls-golf-team/

    http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/super-team-players-highlight-all-area-girls-golf-squad-194.php

    ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS: http://northoaklandsports.com/2010/12/15/flashback-2009-all-area-boys-tennis-powerful-hitters-ace-positions-on-tennis-squad/

    http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/powerful-hitters-ace-positions-on-all-area-boys-tennis-squad-337.php

    2009-2010 ALL-AREA DIRECTORY: http://209.217.228.250/~northoak/pages/posts/season-in-review-2009-10-all-area-teams-directory-1780.php

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