Planets must deal with their promotion to AAA

September 04, 2010 Last Updated: September 04, 2010 03:13 PM High School

It seems there's good news and bad news for the Mars cross country team this year.

The good news is Planets boys team didn't lose a senior to graduation and returns its MVP, junior Sean Gannon.

The girls team lost Sam Brandon and Gabri Pierre, two of its top runners, but the core remains, including MVP Maggie McChesney, now a sophomore.

The bad news? Getting bumped up to Class AAA.

"They switched us out and we're not in the MAC. We're not in it for cross country," said Mars coach Joe Cioc. "That will be the biggest challenge."

The Planets will have a lot of runners to draw from as 20 girls and 19 boys make up the respective rosters. Eleven of the 19 boys are either freshmen or sophomores.

Following are previews for the upcoming cross county season:

ButlerCoach: Rick Davanzati, sixth year2009 record: 5-3 overall, 5-2 in the sectionReturning letterwinners: Seniors Evan Gomez, Chris Grooms and Tyler Cranmer; juniors Jon Andreassi, Trey Neveux, Brendan Camp, Dylan Ahrens, Jacob Ferguson and Steven StaufferCoach's comment: "I think this section is a little stronger than last year. ... Unlike other sports, with cross country, we want to win the section, but if the chance is not there, we can still get to the WPIAL championship meet."

Coach: Jim Nagle, sixth year2009 record: 2-6 overallReturning letterwinners: Senior Brendan Lemmex; junior Jake Perri; sophomore Eli Brinker. Seniors Mark Davis and Brent Kendrick lettered two seasons agoCoach's comment: "We're really thin with the boys team, so the key is no injuries."

Coach: Wess Brahler, 10th year2009 record: 12-3 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Van McCarren and K.J. McCreaCoach's comment: "We have 12 total boys, so the numbers are down this year, but we have a great bunch of kids."

Coach: Joe Cioc, third year2009 record: 4-6 overall, 3-4 in the sectionReturning letterwinners: Seniors Colby Mathews, Jake McMahon, Jacob Hunter and Zack McManus; junior Ryan Winner and Sean Gannon; sophomore Scott SlaneyCoach's comment: "We'll try to improve our times week by week and prepare for the challenge."

Coach: Bob Livrone, 13th year2009 record: 5-3 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Kevin Keppel. Stephen Posney, Joe Sadecky, Eric Snyder, Zac Will and Kyle Zboran; junior Ryan ArmitageCoach's comment: "I feel this team will be in contention for a section championship. We have everyone back, so hopefully, we'll be in the mix for that."

Coach: Mike Hilliard, second year2009 record: 5-1, region runner-upReturning letterwinners: Juniors Ryan Thompson, Dylan Parson, Alex Flecker and Jason AnnaCoach's comment: "Our biggest challenge is that we moved up to Class AAA."

Coach: Mike Sample2009 record: 6-0, Region 2 championsReturning letterwinners: Senior Jake Kildoo; juniors Ben Hoffman, Joe Hoffman and Alex Knaby; sophomores Dan Jaskowak and Ian BrownCoach's comment: "We have seven who can race on game day and 10 who can go at it. It's a nice problem to have. ... We have more depth than we've had in the past."

Coach: Colin Gaiser, first year2009 record: 10-0 overall, KSAC championsReturning letterwinners: Seniors Ethan McGarvey, Dylan Surrena, Darren Best and John Barlett; sophomores Evan McGarvey and Matt SlagleCoach's comment: "I was talking to the kids last Saturday ... and I told them 'You guys have a good chance to go to the state meet as a team,' and they said that was their goal."

Coach: Sue Scialabba, fourth year2009 record: 6-3Returning letterwinners: Seniors Cole Blair, Alex Edmonds, Corey Haney and Nick Stockert; juniors Robert Brehm, Tyler Kristufek, Demitrius Nassy and Tim Shearer; sophomores Evan Miller, Devin Nassy and Nathaniel TaylorCoach's comment: "We have some first-year runners that will help us in the middle of the pack. The senior leadership is excellent and we are expecting to improve on last year's record and have more runners qualify for the state meet in Hershey."

Coach: Luke LaVan, seventh year2009 record: 5-5 overallReturning letterwinners: Senior Jordan Miller; junior Nate Best; sophomores Justin Rothen and Clayton McNanyCoach's comment: "We're not setting our sights on wins and losses. We don't have the depth that the other schools have. We want to run a positive program with a good work ethic."

Coach: Terry McCullough, first year2009 record: Didn't field a full teamRunners: Sophomore Shawn Hazlett; freshmen Beau Rankin and Chase ShireyCoach's comment: "I'm trying to get a baseline for where the kids are and go through the meat of the season and get them to drop their times. If they get them down, it will help their confidence and then they can pass the word to their friends and recruit that way."

ButlerCoach: Rick Davanzati, fifth year2009 record: 6-2 overall, 5-2 in the sectionReturning letterwinners: Seniors Trisha Brandt, Ashley Crawford, Ashton Dolan, Christy Monnie and Danica Snyder; sophomores Cristina Frazzini, Rachel Konieczny and Alexis SwiergolCoach's comment: "This year, I think our section has to be the strongest there is."

Coach: Jim Nagle, sixth year2009 record: 2-6 overallReturning letterwinners: Junior Liz Buechele and sophomore Emily Seibert; senior Megan Peaco and junior Kristen McKinney lettered two seasons agoCoach's comment: "We're young and inexperienced and have a long way to go. All I can say is we have great kids working hard."

Coach: Wess Brahler, 10th year2009 record: 10-5 overall; eighth at WPIAL Class AAA meetReturning letterwinners: Seniors Jolene Junkel and Shannon Evanchec; juniors Emilee Hertweck and Val Travis; sophomore Katie JonesCoach's comment: "We have a very talented group and their goals are set high."

Coach: Joe Cioc, third year2009 record: 8-2 overall, 6-1 in the section for second placeReturning letterwinners: Senior Carly Clark; junior Kelsey McDonough and Salina Smialek; sophomore Maggie McChesneyCoach's comment: "It's been a hot summer ... and these girls have bonded as much as anyone can."

Coach: Bob Livrone, 13th year2009 record: 4-4 overallReturning letterwinners: Senior Lauren Screen; juniors Carol Amadee and Julia D'Amico; sophomores Kayla Zboran, Zoe Reitz and Rachel SadeckyCoach's comment: "The girls' goal is to win the section and go to states as a team."

Coach: Jessica Schroeffel, second year2009 record: 4-2 in the regionReturning letterwinners: Seniors Kayla Brendlinger, Rachel Richter, Susan Timko and Alexis Reeher; junior Jessica BennettCoach's comment: "It will definitely be the same challenge as last year, but we should be a very competitive team. ... Jessica's been leading the way and there's probably only one person in the league that consistently beat her."

Coach: Mike Sample2009 record: 6-0, Region 2 championsReturning letterwinners: Seniors Sara Chuzie and Jonna Schaper; juniors Evyn Selden and Erika Cyphert; sophomores Lindsay Knaby, Christina Potsubay and Jill MercerCoach's comment: "We're down to Class AA so it's states or bust. They have embraced the role of being the first girls team to qualify for states. If it happens, it'll be this year."

Coach: Colin Gaiser, first year2009 record: 3-5 overallReturning letterwinners: Juniors AinSoph Williams, Nicole Beck and Melissa Ebbitt; sophomore Lacee ScheerbaumCoach's comment: "We do expect to have a competitive group if we get those two freshmen (soccer players Emily Jones and Emily Schumacher) for help."

Coach: Sue Scialabba, fourth year2009 record: 6-3Returning letterwinners: Seniors Courtney Catterall, Sarah Miller, Danielle Rider and Taylor Shaffer; junior Krista Snyder; sophomore Heather Porter and Nikki YeckelCoach's comment: "We have a tough road schedule the entire month of September, so we need to prepare for the different courses."

Coach: Luke LaVan, seventh year2009 record: 5-5 overallRunners: Senior Emily Milford and Mariah Painter; sophomores Nicole Felix and Jessica McGuire; freshman Rachel ViertelCoach's comment: "We've got a great group of kids. They're working very hard. I hope they see the fruits of their labor."

Coach: Terry McCullough, first year2009 record: Did not field a full teamRunners: Freshman Paige WhitmerCoach's comment: "She's had pretty good times in practice and intervals. She's a hard worker, very academic."