2019 Cross Country Preview
Boys- The boys start the season with with only 1 member not returning, as Zyler Niece graduated. Senior Captains Ben Fink and Tyler Franck will lead the Fire, along with Junior endurance prodigy Pat Ricke. Last year at Sections, Franck and Ricke got 20th and 21st place, respectively. Pat was just coming off of an injury which lasted most the season. The stone-faced workhorse Jaden Lorenz returns for his 3rd year. Lorenz, a Junior, Placed 27th at sections last year. Lorenz posted a 10:42 3200m run this past track season. Rounding off the Varsity Squad will be Junior Greg Stoffel and Sophomores Matt Santini and Grant Hayes. Injuries have nagged almost every member of this team in the past year, but with all 7 currently healthy, this team could make a run (no pun intended) to the state race.
Girls- Senior captain Abbey Fink will attempt to fill the shoes of 2 time state competitor Ellie Marschall, and elite distance runner Calista Lorenz, who both graduated last year. She will be joined by only 4 other runners. 8th Grader Morgan Franck will pace the Fire Ladies team. In addition to her to her and Fink, 2 Freshman, Ava Mettler, Danielle Sutcliffe, and another middle schooler in Nora Swartzbaugh, will finish off the top 5.