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CROSS COUNTRY: Area season preview, youth movement strikes Mid Penn Colonial Division


Too check out the season preview for Chambersburg, click here.

James Buchanan Rockets

Coach: Jerome Staniszewski, first season.

Last year: 1-6, (0-5 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: John Lechleitner (jr), Ryan Lynch (jr.) Jacob Schaubroeck (jr) Alex Giffen (so), Denver Norcross (so.) Kaiden Stinson (so.)

Other top runners: Nick Garbinski (so.), Ethan Izer (jr.)

Outlook: "Our top three runners are pretty interchangeable and will battle it out," Staniszewski said. "We are a young team, so we'll see. I have two great assistants, and everything we do at practice has a purpose ... We've heard a lot of good things so far."

Notes: The Rockets lost Daniel Green to graduation after he won districts last season and placed third at states ... JB has no seniors and just two freshman on its roster.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Shippensburg Greyhounds

Coach: Stan Line, third season, 9-4 (.692)

Last year: 5-3 (4-2 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: Hunter Kent (jr.), Shawn Braet (sr.), Bailey Renfrew (so.)

Other top runners: Shaine Rotz (jr.)

Outlook: "The team is young and inexperienced but working hard to put together a solid top five to be competitive," Line said.

Notes: Kent and Braet both ran in districts for Ship last season ... The Hounds' only losses inside the division last year came to Waynesboro and Boiling Springs.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils

Coach: Rich Secrest, 12th season, 21-45 (.457)

Last year: 3-3 (2-3 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: Billie Schemel (jr.), Luke Norris (sr.), Daniel Salazar (sr.), Andrew Martin (jr.), Brock Widder (so.), Kaleb Hurley (so.), Rylan Hummer (so.), David Jeu (sr.), Dylan Neikirk (so.)

Other top runners: Joe Eberhart (jr.), Andrew Johnson (so.)

Outlook: Secrest said, "With the increase of boys runners, we are hoping to have a state qualifier this season. Daniel Salazar and Andrew Johnson have the summer training and talent to be in position to make that happen."

Notes: All but two of the Blue Devils' returning runners ran at districts last season ... Salazar was the top finisher with a time of 18:25.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Waynesboro Indians

Coach: Michael Garraway, second season

Last year: (3-1, 3-1 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: Chris Maichle (jr.), Ian Skroban (sr.), Trey Foreman (jr.), Shadrach Roundy (jr.)

Other top runners: William Diaz (sr.), Chas Fasold (fr.), Connor Garvin (so.)

Outlook: "It is frustrating to see where our guys team was a year ago compared to now. Unfortunately, key members of our team decided they wanted to enjoy their senior year without competing on the team," Garraway said. "Without them, we will still have individual success, and I couldn't be more excited to see how well the dedicated young men that are still on the team can do."

Notes: Jacob Minnich was the Indians' top runner last season but decided not to come out ... Maichle and Ian Skroban return after racing in the district meet last year.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Southern Fulton Indians

Coach: Joe Hollenshead, seventh season, 45-17 (.726)

Last year: 9-2 (4-0 Inter-County Conference); won the District 5 Class A team title

Returning runners: Benji Voight (jr.), Nathan Leedy (sr.), Zach Clark (sr.), Chase Varner (jr.), Liam Flaherty (so.), Chris Wilson (jr.), Jonah Golden (sr.), Logan Beatty (sr.)

Other top runners: Dylan Ensor (so.)

Outlook: "I think the boys are going to be one of the top teams in the district again," Hollenshead said. "We lost Jacob Pryor, but I think Jonah can jump right in and pick up the slack."

Notes: Pryor was the top finisher in districts last season, but graduated ... The Indians won the district with 38 points last season – the second-place finisher had 57 ... Varner took third in the district meet in 2014, while Voight took fourth.

Season opener: Sept. 10, home vs. Meyersdale, 4:30.

James Buchanan Rockets

Coach: Jerome Staniszewski, first season

Last year: 3-4 (1-4 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: Taylor Fisher (sr.), Janelle Garbinski (sr), Chelsea Black (sr.), Abby Horst (so.), Rachel Kimmel (so.)

Other top runners: Kaylee Kriner (sr.), Madison Shupp (fr.)

Outlook: Staniszerski said, "We have a lot of seniors, and I think that if we can stay injury free, we should be OK. We'll be competitive, and I'm really excited for a few of our girls."

Notes: Kaylee Kriner, a first-year runner, is expected to be one of JB's top runners this season ... Staniszewski has also lauded his two assistant coaches – Ryan Haylett and Kristal Hollenshead.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Shippensburg Greyhounds

Coach: Stan Line, third season, 4-9 (.308)

Last year: 2-6 (1-5 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: Ava Franklin (jr.), Audrey Goates (sr.), Lauren Taylor (jr.), Morgan Benedik (jr.)

Other top runners: Catherine Brown-Crochunis (fr.), Megan Pomeroy (so.), Maddie Goodhart (sr.), Maya Eilert (jr.)

Outlook: "We have a solid core that makes the team strong from 1-6," Line said, "and if we can pack enough runners up front, we have a chance to improve on a 2-6 season from last year."

Notes: Franklin was the lone Lady Hound to qualify for the district tournament last season ... Ship's lone win inside the division came against West Perry.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils

Coach: Rich Secrest, 12th season, 40-21, (.656)

Last year: 4-2 (3-2 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: Lauren Hirneisen (jr.), Madison Hurley (sr.), Morgan Stahley (sr.), Coramina Cogan (so.), Hannah Goldbach (so.), Jalene Hummer (so.)

Other top runners: Abriana Cain (sr.)

Outlook: "We are really hoping to improve on our competitiveness within our division this season," Secrest said. "Lauren Hirneisen is hoping to improve on her district and state placing from last year."

Notes: Hirneisen had an impressive postseason run last season, placing fourth in the District 3-AA race and 52nd in states ... G-A lost its first two meets last season before finishing with four straight victories.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Waynesboro Maidens

Coach: Michael Garraway, second season

Last year: 2-2 (2-2 Mid Penn Colonial Division)

Returning runners: Chelsea Bricker (jr.), Lindsey Bricker (jr.), Emily Diaz (jr.), Chelsea Cover (jr.), Albany Campbell (jr.), Danielle Donato (jr.), Noelle Musolina (so.)

Other top runners: Ashlyn Beck (fr.), Virginia Cooley (fr.), Hannah Ito (fr.), Brooke Smith (sr.)

Outlook: "I am very excited for our girls team this year," Garraway said. "The team has really matured and taken a whole new attitude this year. They are excited to compete and to see what the season has in store for them."

Notes: Waynesboro returns nearly every runner from last season ... Garraway expects Cover to be one of the Maidens' top runners.

Season opener: Friday, at Enos Yeager Invitational at Chambersburg, 5:30

Southern Fulton Indians

Coach: Joe Hollenshead, seventh season

Last year: 7-3 (3-1 Inter-County Conference); won the District 5 Class A title

Returning runners: Olivia Mottern (jr.), Madison Baker (jr.), Lindsey Pryor (sr.), Emily Bradshaw (jr.), Lindsey Palmer (jr.)

Other top runners: Shaelyn Wawro (jr.), Mary Dudich (so.)

Outlook: Hollenshead said, "I think, just like last year, we don't have any really fast runners, but we have a big group that will come right in the middle, and I think we can end up on top, just like last year."

Notes: The Indians won districts last year despite just one runner, Bradshaw, finishing in the top three ... SF won the district title by nearly 30 points.

Season opener: Sept. 10, home vs. Meyersdale, 4:30