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Boys Cross Country Capsules

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Last year: 7th at Districts.

Head coach: Mike Wachtmann.

Lettermen lost: Justin Storrer, Jacob Gobrogge, Michael Volkman, Chris Jennings.

Returning lettermen: Adrian Ramirez, Chan Tinsman, Seth Strawn.

Strengths: "The team is very young but should start well and imrpove rapidly. Adrian Ramirez (2008 MVP) will be expected to provide a constant benchmark for the new freshmen."

Weaknesses: "The 2008 seniors provided core leadership all season long. Their absence will be felt since we had no juniors to step into their leadership roles."

Overall outlook: "The entire team is dedicated and hard-working. Most athletes trained at least moderately during the summer and expect to be a respected young team by tthe league meet. They intend to pack well and effectively compensate for the absence of upper classmen."

League outlook: "We expect to worry even the strong teams from last year when the freshmen get used to competing at 5K."

Ayersville

Head coach: Sarah Boyd.

Returning lettermen: Sebastian Rue, Ryan Johnson, Curtis Richards, Ryan Behringer, Kyle Kissner.

Promising newcomers: Cade Mansfield, Clark Retcher, Dylan Moore, George Roth, Clay Fry.

Strengths: "We have runners with experience and, with the addition of newcomers, we should be competitive. Last year's team has all returned, bringing a strong backgroud to the team."

Weaknesses: "We have limited tournament experience, except our one senior (Rue)."

Overall outlook: "We hope to be competitive in the GMC and at the Districts. We are looking forward to what the team is capable of."

Edgerton

Head coach: Jason Zumbaugh.

Lettermen lost: D.J. Zippay.

Returning lettermen: Cody Bigger, David Dietsch, Robert Cooley, Jared Pilaski, Kevin Krill.

Promising newcomers: Draken Perez.

Strengths: "We have experience that will help us improve every day."

Weaknesses: "We are low in numbers and have few newcomers."

Overall outlook: "Even though our numbers are low, we have worked hard all summer. Our goals include improving our placing at all invitationals as well as the GMC meet."

League outlook: "Look for Tinora and Fairview to be in the mix for the GMC title."

Fairview

Last year: 2nd in GMC.

Head coach: Curt Foust.

Lettermen lost: Brock Rhodes.

Returning lettermen: Martin Singer, Nathan Singer, Travis Kempf, Jay Karnes, AJ Mavis, Beau Samples, Landon Fritch.

Promising newcomers: Tyler Talbert, Kyle Thomas, Jacob Whitman, Brad Nester, Jacob Daniel, Tyler Johnson, Jacob Hoffman.

Strengths: "We have strong captains and are goal-oriented. Our returning runners worked hard this summer and we have strong newcomers."

Weaknesses: "We need someone to prove they can place high at invitationals."

Overall outlook: "The GMC is strong this year. We hope to have a good showing in the conference."

League outlook: "Antwerp and Tinora are returning strong teams."

Napoleon

Last year: 4th in GBC, 3rd at Districts, 16th at Regionals.

Head coach: Randy Lee Burke.

Lettermen lost: Scott Bauman, Ross Saneholtz, Sam Wesche, Kelly Kuser.

Returning lettermen: Chase Sweeney, Richard Snyder, Ben Majewski, Zach Wlaker, Derek Gerken.

Promising newcomers: Jimmy Majewski.

Strengths: "Our runners will stride to make the team even stronger All have shown much improvement."

Overall outlook: "With good numbers, we need to focus, believe and work extra hard to meet our goals as individuals to make the team even stronger We will have a good to outstanding team developing and being ready to make the necessary steps to reach our goals in the GBC, district, regional and state cross country meets. Great efforts and attitudes are being developed."

Ottoville

Last year: 70-50.

Head coach: Bob Kaple.

Returning lettermen: Drew Bendale, Tyler Looser, Joseph Trejo, Taylor Gasser, Tyler Turnwald, Alex Eickoff, Brandon Von Miller, Jason Turnwald.

Promising newcomers: Brad Eickoff, Kyle Niermeyer, Dustin Knippen, Seth Bendale, Ryan Honigford, Andy Foster, Jacob Turnwald.

Pettisville

Last year: 3rd in BBC, 5th at Regionals.

Head coach: Tom Wagner.

Lettermen lost: Austin Borton, Harris King.

Returning lettermen: Lincoln Frey, Trevor Lantz, Jacob Nofziger, Aaron Bruner, Zach Pursel, Zach Davis.

Strengths: "We have very good numbers with 20 runners. Our team is hard-working and has great leadership."

Weaknesses: "Fourteen out of our 20 runners are in 9th or 10th grade with seven freshman and seven sophomores."

Overall outlook: "We hope to be competitive in a very strong league. In order to do so, we need our younger runners to step up."

League outlook: "Hilltop continues to be the team to beat in the BBC. Stryker and Fayette will be very good as well. The BBC continues to be the strongest league in the area. In 2008, the BBC placed four teams in the top eight at the D-III Regionals."

Stryker

Last year: 3rd in BBC, 2nd at Districts, 4th at Regionals, 15th at State.

Head coach: Maurice Zuver.

Lettermen lost: Dillon Gansmiller, Jason Hissong.

Returning lettermen: Kenny Graber, Jay Planson, Conner Frey, Tyson Rhors, Shawn Wiegel, Nolan Short.

Promising newcomers: Robert Aguilar, Luke Graber, Tyler Teschke, Alic Martinez, Garrett Fritch.

Strengths: "Experienced runners are coming back with the drive to be better than last year. Our numbers are good. We should have between 15-20 boys."

Weaknesses: "We need to fill the third, fourth, fifth and sixth spot. The younger guys will have to step up early and make a difference."

Overall outlook: "The kids have worked over the summer. We hope to have some influence on the league and we have set goals of returning to Columbus. I think it will be a good season."

Wauseon

Last year: 2nd in NWOAL, 7th at Districts.

Head coach: Rebecca Stuckey.

Lettermen lost: Mitch Baird, Michael Perez.

Returning lettermen: Michael Becker, Jared Rohrs, Alec Fisher, Jacob McElrath, Ben Mahan, Jacob Massie.

Promising newcomers: Grant Knierim, David Hench, Aaron Bunke, Michael Boyer, Matt Rashley.

Strengths: "We have a large team with a strong number-one man. Teammates run well in groups and will be vying for varsity spots."

Weaknesses: "To be really competitive, we will need our number two through five runners to be able to go sub-18:00. This might be a stretch for us."

Overall outlook: "With Michael Becker healthy, our team will be much more competitive throughout the season. I expect that, across the board, we will be faster than last year."

League outlook: "I'd like to see us in the top three at the NWOAL championships. Delta is always strong and Liberty Center should be tough."

Wayne Trace

Head coach: Troy Branch.

Lettermen lost: Karl Klopfenstein, Jeremy Zartman.

Returning lettermen: Colin Klopfenstein, Eli Cook.

Promising newcomers: Andre Burkley.

Weaknesses: "We are very young and have only four runners."