By Todd Irwin
It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Central Cambria girls cross country team last year. The Lady Red Devils were coming off of their third straight PIAA Class AA state title and yet another undefeated regular season.
Instead of rebuilding, the Lady Devils soared to another unbeaten regular season and won another District 6 crown.
Three girls who were key members of that team and were named Altoona Mirror first team all-stars return, including senior Alyssa Brandis, a three-time Mirror first-teamer who finished second at districts and 12th at states. Junior Dawn Craft and sophomore Jordan Hayward, both of whom were state qualifiers and Mirror all-stars, also return.
In fact, Central Cambria returns 11 lettermen from last year's team that went 11-0. So, much more of the same is expected of the Lady Devils, who have dropped to Class A with the addition of the new class in cross country.
"With the reorganization of the classifications this year, we hope to be competitive at the district and state level in single-A," said CC coach Randy Wilson, who has a career record of 135-3, "with possibly the most talented single class of runners coming up from eighth grade next season."
There other talented runners in the area who will be looking for district gold and a trip to states.
Northern Bedford senior Maria Snyder is a returning three-time Mirror all-star who won a District 5 title last year after placing second the previous two years.
Hollidaysburg seniors Emily Ansley and Lauren Pheasant are returning state qualifiers and all-stars, as are Bedford senior Carrie Baker, a District 5 runner-up who helped Bedford win a district team title, Altoona junior Morgan Pensyl and Penn Cambria sophomore Arlee Simendinger.
Below is a capsulized look at the area teams who returned their preseason information:
Altoona
Coach: Tabitha Quinn, 16th season
Career record: 72-40
Last year's record: 1-4
League: None
Returning starters: Seniors-Paige Geist, Annie Keating, Carly Port. Juniors-Brianna Geist, Morgan Pensyl. Sophomores-Hanna Jacobs, Ellie Sohmer. Newcomers: Seniors-Lexi Helsel. Juniors-Diana DeBernardis, Jaylyn Luciano, Hayley Weaver. Sophomores-Zoe Delozier. Freshmen-Mikayla Detwiler, Shaelyn Imler, Audrey Love, Alex Reade.
Strengths: "We are optimistic and looking stronger in the preseason. Returning are five or our varsity runners. The girls really had to take some big steps forward from last season's rebuilding process. The depth of our newcomers and the experienced gained from our returning runners will most certainly impact the workmanship and racing approach."
Concerns: "It is important for the girls to be patient and to learn how to compromise race situations with each course and the conditions. The girls overall are yet inexperienced. They have to safeguard injury prevention and good health."
Overall outlook: "The team will compete again all-state runners in the early part of our schedule. However, without a doubt, I see them taking the challenge through progress. In looking at the team in the big picture, they realize the hard work, team commitment and devotion needed for an outstanding team. The girls should have promising prospects by the season's end."
Assistant coaches: Travis Etters, Erin Dunkel, Kristie Runk
Bedford
Coach: Michele Fisher, sixth season
Career record: 30-39
Last year's record: 9-8
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors-Carrie Baker, Alison Caddy, Kaitlyn Sigler. Junior-Lauren Ickes. Sophomore-Lauren Diehl.
Other returners: Senior-Hannah Grimes. Junior-Becca Krupa.
Newcomers: Senior- Hannah Miller. Juniors-Kyra Burtnett, Monica Littlefield. Sophomores-Grace Amato, Kelsey Koontz, Mikala May, Lauren Weaver. Freshman-Emily Ferraro.
Strengths: "We have a core of veteran runners who made it to the state meet last year. They will provide the leadership necessary to develop our new runners."
Overall outlook: "We want to finish in the top three at the LHAC meet in October and to get our top runners to the state meet."
Assistant coach: Jeffrey Hamilton
Bellwood-Antis
Coach: Julie Roseborough, 20th season
Career record: 126-90
Last year's record: 4-6
League: Inter-County Conference
Returning starters: Senior-April Taylor. Junior-Jess Killinger. Sophomores-Meghan Claar, Alayna Roberts, Anna Wolfe.
Other returnees: Sophomore-Emily Estright.
Newcomers: Sophomore-Hannah Cherry.
Strengths: "We have five returning letterwinners."
Concerns: "We need to improve. There's not much depth."
Overall outlook: "We hope to develop into a good team."
Assistant coaches: Chris Brown
Bishop Guilfoyle
Coach: Joe Bilka, 14th season
Career record: 39-75
Last year's record: 1-9
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior-Khristina Slobodnik. Junior-Samantha Reinhardt. Sophomore-Clarisse Spencer.
Newcomers: None
Strengths: "We will have three girls who are committed to the sport and will perform as well as they are capable."
Concerns: "Numbers."
Overall outlook: "Our girls will enter every race committed to running the best race possible."
Assistant coaches: Vicki Bilka, Erik Brown
Cambria Heights
Coach: John Kuskoski, 20th season
Career record: 113-124
Last year's record: 5-8
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Juniors-Lindsay Link, Shannon Link, Marki Schaefer. Sophomores-Cori James, Emily Sopata.
Other returners: Seniors-Alex Murphy, Brenna Sumner. Juniors-Amber Koegler.
Newcomers: Seniors-Breanna Kurtz. Juniors-Emily Lewis, Abbey McCann. Freshmen-Elle Cordell, Kara Miller, Harley Nelen, Julia Pritchard.
Strengths: "Returning are eight letterwinners, including the team's captain [Shannon Link], the MVR [Emily Sopata] and the all-conference pick [Marki Schaefer]. We have good number with everyone showing a great attitude to succeed."
Concerns: "Progressing at a safe rate and staying injury free."
Overall outlook: "These girls should end up ranked in the top half in District 6. Win or lose, these girls will run their hearts out, face up to the challenges that this sport throws at them and represent their school in a first-class way."
Assistant coach: Kathryn Kuskoski
Central
Coach: Ray Brooks, first season
Career record: 0-0
Last year's record: 5-5
League: Mountain League
Returning starters: Seniors-Alyssa Clark, Jena Gunnett. Junior-Mackenzie Cherry.
Newcomer: Shannon Weaver.
Strengths: "Good leadership."
Concerns: "Numbers."
Overall outlook: "The desire and work ethic of everyone is strong and positive."
Assistant coaches: None
Central Cambria
Coach: Randy Wilson, 13th season
Career record: 135-3
Last year's record: 11-0
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior-Katie Bracken, Alyssa Brandis, Kelsey Hagens, Olivia Lipnic, Ashley Smith, Punjari Vyas. Junior-Dawn Craft, Abby Davidson, Laken McKeel. Sophomores-Ali Evans, Jordan Hayward, Cienna Lauer.
Newcomers: Seniors-Larissa Hunt. Juniors-Abby Davidson. Freshmen-Jackie Bracken, Andy Moritz, Seria Neumann, Hannah Swope.
Strengths: "We have a large team of dedicated and seasoned runners, as well as some talented young runners."
Concerns: "Staying healthy and focused."
Overall outlook: "With the reorganization of the classifications this year, we hope to be competitive at the district and state level in single A, with possibly the most talented single class of runners coming up from eighth grade next season."
Assistant coaches: Tammy Nagel, Bill Cox.
Hollidaysburg
Coach: Lynette Luke, second season
Last year's record: Didn't have enough girls to score.
League: None
Returning starters: Seniors-Emily Ansley, Lauren Pheasant, Marie Gorman. Junior-Clair Rosenberger.
Newcomers: Seniors-Kaitie Hughes, Sena Kleinbrink, Kayla MacVean. Sophomores-Sandra Johnson, Ashley McClain, Elizabeth Seeley, Ashlyn Vaughn. Freshmen-Emily Baranik, Ceara Lance, Colleen Murphy, Makenzie Wilkinson, Rory Grassadonia.
Strengths: "We have a larger team this year, which will allow us to be competitive with the other local teams."
Concerns: "These girls are so dedicated, my biggest worry is overtraining."
Overall outlook: "With the return of two state qualifiers [Pheasant and Ansley] and addition of some strong underclassmen, I am hopeful that we can not only score our meets, but start winning."
Assistant coaches: Debra Solomon, Bill Bravin, Geordie Edmiston.
Juniata Valley
Coach: Dolores Gahagan, 28th season
Career record: 166-112-1
Last year's record: 3-2
League: Inter-County Conference
Returning starters: Senior-Samantha Anders. Juniors-Sarah Jefferis, Christine Kurtz. Sophomores-Paige Bousum, Brooke Emery.
Newcomers: Sophomores-Whitney Ashead, Ellie Keller, Danielle Suomela. Freshman-Rachel Baker.
Strengths: "A fairly young group of girls who are working very hard. We have great leadership from our returners and a positive attitude amongst the team."
Concerns: "We lost our number one runner from last year [Brittany Kurtz] to graduation."
Overall outlook: "We feel very positive about the group of girls we have. They have been working very hard, and we look forward to gaining strength, speed and experience throughout the season. We should be competitive within our league with this excited group of girls."
Assistant coaches: Krista McCrum, Nancy Kyper.
Penn Cambria
Coach: Todd Niebauer, sixth season
Last year's record: 12-2
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors-Kaitlyn McGarry, Emily Roberts, Sarah Roberts, Danielle Sral. Juniors-Sara Clauto, Danielle Pompa. Sophomores-Carly Osmolinski, Arlee Simendinger.
Newcomers: Seniors-Taylor Simanski. Juniors-Brandy Gibbons, Devin Myers. Freshmen-Shelly Pompa.
Strengths: "Returning five girls who ran at states last year and experience in the big meets."
Concerns: "Depth. We can't afford any injuries."
Overall outlook: "We have set the bar high and plan to continue on last year's success."
Assistant coaches: Marissa Cerully
Philipsburg-Osceola
Coach: Doug Perry, eighth season
Career record: 59-22
Last year's record: 9-3
League: Mountain League
Returning starters: Senior-Melanie Boop.
Newcomers: Juniors-Cassidy Bowman, Chelsea Brown.
Strengths: "Numbers."
Concerns: "Lack of experience."
Overall outlook: "We will have a season where all the athletes will improve."
Assistant coaches: Kelly Dobo, Rob Thompson, Dave Caslow
