New season finds new coaches at the helm

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

August 30, 2005 Last Updated: August 30, 2005 02:41 PM High School

Denny Stewart has served as the Union boys track and field coach for 32 years, but this fall, he finds himself taking over the Golden Knights' cross country program.

Stewart replaced Randy Carmichael, the school's coach the previous 10 years with the girls and three years with the boys.

Still, his philosophy is simple.

"I just want them to go out and be competitive, just like track and field," said Stewart.

Stewart is one of four area coaches to take over programs this season.

Jim Nagle replaces longtime Seneca Valley coach Randy Huey (18 of the previous 19 years) while Rick Davanzati takes over at Butler from John Neff (four years) and Joelle Patterson of Mars returns as head coach after two years as an assistant.

For the boys teams, Butler will try and replace five of its top seven runners, including state qualifiers James Rogerson and Ray Melder

Knoch, meanwhile, seems to be loaded for a highly successful season.

"We're way ahead of where we've been in the past," said Knoch coach Wess Brahler. "We have high expectations here at Knoch this year. Our top seven are going to be sandwiched together."

Knoch has 22 boys and 14 girls out for team, after Brahler urged some of his track athletes to try cross country.

"It was my second year of track and it's starting to show. We're getting a lot of kids from track. It's showing that fall is a huge chance to get a leg up for track."

The following are the previews for the upcoming boys and girls seasons.

Coach: Rick Davanzati, first year2004 record: 7-2 overall, 5-2 in the sectionReturning letterwinners: Senior Mike Dinger; juniors Steve Monnie and Rob MillerCoach's comment: "It's a little bit of a rebuilding year, but we'll hold our own, considering the kids out who can contribute. They've run more this summer than they have in the past and seemed to have come a long way."

Coach: Jim Nagle, first year2004 record: 6-3 overallReturning letterwinners: Senior Ian Carrow; juniors Lewis Butler, Dan Dickey, Oliver Flynn, J.D. Mazzocco, Ben RonalloCoach's comment: "I think it's pretty much the same as last year," said assistant coach Ann Cheman. "We have 12 freshmen this year and hopefully they'll stick with us."

Coach: Wess Brahler, sixth year2004 record: 13-9 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Artie Black, Kyle Reeping (as sophomore, back after year at Shady Side Academy), Chris Recio, C.J. Burns; juniors Ben Hutterer and Cory SteinhagenCoach's comment: "We have a nice mix of experience and numbers. We have 22 boys out, but we have a lot of inexperience as well. Our enthusiasm has been tremendous and work ethic the best for sure since I've been at Knoch."

Coach: Joelle Patterson, first season (in second stint with Planets)2004 record: 12-4 overall, 5-2 in the sectionReturning letterwinners: Senior Alex Kokkinakis; junior Cody Kier; sophomore Justin StadelmyerCoach's comment: "We had 10 boys graduate and no freshmen out. We don't have the depth. We have a nice, tight-knit group."

Coach: Bob Livrone, eighth year2004 record: 10-3 overall, 6-2 in the section for third placeReturning letterwinners: Senior Brendan Reilly; juniors Shaun Visnesky, Alex Wheeler, Cory Chelko and Bryan Tague; sophomore Bill LucasCoach's comment: "We're expecting to be competitive and Brendan will be tough. He'll probably win most of our section meets."

Coach: Tony Consbruck, second year2004 record: 3-3Returning letterwinners: Senior Robb Whitt; junior Chase Conti; sophomore Dan HartzellCoach's comment: It's kind of a rebuilding year, but I think they can compete. (Junior) Mac Bowser will help us fill out our top five. He's a first-year runner, but he's a nice athlete. We'll have a good top five and we're maturing from sixth, seventh and eighth."

Coach: Mike Sample2004 record: 4-3Returning letterwinners: Junior Adam Stillwaggon; sophomore Zach HoaglandCoach's comment: "We're real young. We have no seniors in the top seven. Zach is clearly the best runner on the team and has a legitimate shot to qualify for states."

Coach: Don Loughry, 27th year2004 record: 9-0, KSAC champions, District 9 runners-upReturning letterwinners: Senior Andrew Harmon; junior Travis Hendell: sophomore Chris HarmonCoach's comment: "I expect us to be above .500. Cranberry is strong and North Clarion is strong. I think it'll be us and Moniteau to battle for third place."

Coach: Jim Metz, fifth year2004 record: 4-8 overall, 3-3 in the KSAC, sixth in District 9Returning letterwinners: Juniors Matt O'Malley and Aaron Smith; sophomores Eric Hillard and Jimmy BonettiCoach's comment: "We don't have the numbers this year. If we hit .500, I'll be happy. It's a rebuilding year. We have a lot of young kids."

Coach: Denny Stewart, first year2004 record: N/AReturning letterwinners: Include seniors Mike Brothers and Jason Custer and junior Brett MooreCoach's comment: "We have 14 boys and we'll be competitive. We have a lot of guys that play other sports like golf and football. Brett Moore placed third in the district in the 3,200-meter run and went to states and qualified for states in cross country last year."

Coach: Rick Davanzati, first year2004 record: 5-4 overall, 4-3 in the sectionReturning letterwinners: Seniors Karen Geibel, Tanya Gregor and Kelly Rippin; juniors Jessica Vernon, Fontaine Graham, Liz Graham, Nikki Karowski, Sarah Clouse, Chelsea Cooper and Marie Rumbaugh; sophomores Pam Cox and Deanna DiederichCoach's comment: "We had a pretty young team last year and lost three to graduation. There's not a lot of seniors this year."

Coach: Jim Nagle, first year2004 record: 6-3 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Lauren Bezier, Jenna Luek, Kelsey Sullivan and Katie Wick; juniors Marissa Behning, Michelle Hefner and Yolien Teeters; sophomores Nicole Gostkowski and Emily WolfarthCoach's comment: "We have 13 girls and the strong ones to me are Lauren Bezier and Emily Wolfarth, who was our MVP last year," said assistant coach Ann Cheman. "We don't have the numbers but we'll do OK."

Coach: Wess Brahler, sixth year2004 record: 7-14 overallReturning letterwinners: Seniors Amber Wilks and Kristin Robb; sophomore Dana McCarrenCoach's comment: "Numbers-wise, we have 14, which is the largest team ever. We have some experience with the girls as well as some new runners."

Coach: Joelle Patterson, first year (in second stint with Planets)2004 record: 15-1 overall, 6-1 in section for second placeReturning letterwinners: Seniors Brittany Zaborowski and Kaitlin Thompson; sophomores Courtney Moran and Chloe PierreCoach's comment: "We lost four girls from last year's team so we don't have the pack like we did before. We'll just take it one meet at a time and see how it goes."

Coach: Bob Livrone, eighth year2004 record: 11-2 overall, 7-1 in the section for second placeReturning letterwinners: Seniors Kristen Knappenberger and Melanie Lutz; juniors Kristen Prazenica, Cassie Treshok and Karolyn Kasely; sophomore Christine MartyCoach's comment: "I think the girls will be real strong and we'll compete for the section title because we have most of our top five back. We have 15 girls and 10 boys out, the most we've ever had, so it's a nice turnout."

Coach: Tony Consbruck, second season2004 record: 4-2Returning letterwinners: Seniors Janelle Hartzell, Amanda Kellogg, Jill Laux and Sarah Thompson; juniors Brittney Lyons and Allison Plummer; sophomore Calley BridgesCoach's comment: "Most of those girls came out last year as juniors and had one senior. They're savvy. The potential is very high for the season. Not to jinx them, but we should be a power in the district."

Coach: Mike Sample2004 record: 2-5Returning letterwinners: Senior Cassie JohnsCoach's comment: "This year, we conceivably have four freshmen girls coming up and a couple of seniors look to contribute. We have a lot of ninth graders that seem ready to go challenge a high school course. They'll open some eyes and give people a run for their money."

Coach: Don Loughry, 27th year2004 record: N/AReturning letterwinners: NoneCoach's comment: "Genny Davis was a four-year letterwinner and went to states three years. We have three freshmen girls, Hannah Beck, Samantha Ryan and Christine Endlish. We have 14 junior high kids and look like they'll stick with it."

Coach: Jim Metz, fifth year2004 record: 6-5 overall, 5-2 in the KSAC, sixth in District 9Returning letterwinners: Senior Jodie Davis; juniors Amy Gladd, Hannah Glass, Samantha Kristufek and Nikki Stiner; sophomores Michelle Gebhart and Ellie HillardCoach's comment: "There's not a lot of power in there, but it's still early in the season. We're hoping for a successful season. I'm looking at both sides (including boys) as a rebuilding year. We look to be stronger in the next two years. We have a lot of seventh and eighth graders and they're strong runners."

Coach: Denny Stewart, first year2004 record: N/AReturning letterwinners: Includes juniors Megan Booth and Charlotte MerrymanCoach's comment: "You just want to show up for the meets and try and improve. That's all you can do. If you improve, you're a winner. The goal is to finish the race."