CENTERVILLE —
The Centerville cross country team that won the South Central Conference title last season brings back much of the same varsity speed that they had last season.
Juniors Ben Grothe, Payton Busch and Neal Caylor will join seniors Tyler Walker and Logan O’Hair as the boys that are returning. Busch was a state qualifier last season.
“Grothe, Busch and Walker will be competitive with everyone we see but there will be a lot of competition for those next four positions,” Centerville head coach Matt Kruzich said. “Caylor, Zach Bogle, O’Hair, B.J Gavigan, Garrett Faris or Logan Dabney could take those spots anytime.
“And Derry Long, Nic McCann and Matt Wells have improved also. The competition at practice is fun and the boys are as focused as I have seen.”
Seniors Avery Schmidt, Breezy Poolman and Addie Kepner outline the girls that will be returning this year.
“Schmidt, Poolman and Kepner are veterans and they know what kind of work they have to do and the future looks bright with some speedy freshman in Cassidy Schacher, Bailey Witt, Katie Busch and Sydney Dommer,” Kruzich said. “These girls will be moving up in distance [over what they ran last year in Jr. High] so it will be a little bit of a learning process but they are competing well in practice. Siara Thompson has returned to the team this year and our top underclassman last season Hanna Sheston will see some more varsity action as well.”
The Big Reds are looking to go back-to-back as conference champions, after claiming the title for the first time since 1988. Schmidt was all-conference last season, as was Walker and Busch.
“I think both squads have what it takes to compete for conference titles,” Kruzich said. “It always takes some luck but our offseason work was promising over the summer and I’m very pleased with our focus and attitudes. We are having fun yet working hard and they are a good group to work with.”
Centerville opens the season in Wayne County on Sept. 1. They will host their annual Big Red/Redette Invite Oct. 4.
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August 25, 2011
South Central champions bring back varsity runners
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