Webster Thomas boys and girls cross country head coach Jim Brunswick starts his ninth year at the helm.
The boys posted a 13-10 record a year ago as they placed fourth in the Class AA sectionals. Six of the top seven runners are back this season.
The top returnees include: senior Cole DeClerck: first-team all-county, fifth at sectionals (qualified for NYS championships); senior Tim Mateer: first-team all-county, 16th at sectionals; senior Jared Rousell: first-team all-county, Class AA champion (qualified for NYS championships); sophomore Matt Loce: 27th at sectionals; senior Nick Geary and sophomore Evan Garvey.
The key newcomers include freshmen Keith Johnson, Chris Peffley, and Kevin Witt.
“We are coming off what was probably our least successful season ever,”Brunswick said. “The good news is that we have pretty much everyone back and I expect them all to be improved.
“Up front this may be the strongest we have ever been. I believe that we can run with any team in Section 5 through our first three. Seniors Cole DeClerck, Tim Mateer, and Jared Rousell are all coming off strong junior years and have looked very good during the preseason.”
“Jared really put together a sensational junior year in both cross country and track. After winning sectionals and returning to states last fall, I know that he has his sights set on being one of the top performers in the state. And judging by the way he finished his outdoor track season by placing second at states in the steeplechase, he has the ability and confidence to do just that.
“Cole has been hampered by nagging injuries for the past year, but has still managed to race well, especially in big meets. If he can stay healthy and get in more consistent training as a result, there is no telling what he is capable of doing. So far he has looked rock solid.
“Tim has trained very well this summer and appears poised to elevate himself to the next tier of runners. He is so strong right now and that has come through a long period of consistent training.
“I think that the key for us right now is going to be where our fourth and fifth runners can finish. The nice thing is that we have a number of guys – both veterans and newcomers – who can potentially grab those spots. Matt Loce appears to be the guy most likely to be there. He was generally our fourth runner last season as a freshman, but comes back this year much stronger and confident. Nick Geary and Evan Garvey have both looked particularly good thus far in the preseason, as well.
“It is going to take a total team effort for us to get back to the level that we have come to expect. We have plenty of guys in the mix, however, which is never a bad thing. Complementing a strong group of seniors is a collection of young talent that should be on par with any school in Monroe County.
“Monroe County Division I is absolutely stacked this season. Of our seven divisional opponents, there really is only one automatic victory there. Rush-Henrietta is clearly the favorite, however. They are as deep and talented as any team that I have seen around here. Coming in, they are also the logical choice to repeat as sectional champions, although Hilton is right there, too.”
On the girls side, the Lady Titans posted a 17-6 mark with six of the top seven harriers back this season. They also came in fourth in the Class AA sectionals.
The top returnees are: senior Christina Colon: first-team all-county, seventh at sectionals (qualified for NYS Championship); junior Noelle Crocetti: second-team all-county; senior Shavonna Hinton: second-team all-county; junior Shannon O’Hara: second-team all-county; and seniors Molly Halpin and Melissa Mazzo.
The key newcomer us freshman Sara Gnolek.
“I strongly believe that this should be the most successful team that we have ever had,” said Brunswick. “We are deep and talented. Hopefully this is the year that we can get over the hump and win a sectional title.”
“Christina Colon leads a very talented crop of seniors. If she can run well in big meets like she did last fall, that will give us the presence up front that we will need.
“Seniors Molly Halpin, Shavonna Hinton, and Melissa Mazzo are all coming off phenomenal track seasons. If they can enjoy even close to that level of success, we all of a sudden go from being a team with potential to the team to beat.
“Juniors Noelle Crocetti and Shannon O’Hara give us a really solid six. Those two both have the ability to just grind away on runs. They have trained well all summer and have put themselves in a position to have a big fall.
“After our top six, it becomes pretty wide open as to who might challenge for a spot in the top seven. We have several veterans who have been working hard to take their shot at it and we have several girls who are coming off injuries who should contend. On top of that, there are a few freshmen who I expect to work their way up our depth chart as the season progresses. It should be very interesting.
“On paper, we appear to have the necessary components to contend at both the Monroe County Division I level and at sectionals. Teams like Canandaigua , Fairport, Penfield, and Rush-Henrietta will make for a tough division, and when you through Hilton in the mix at sectionals it should make for a real battle on Nov. 6.
“The level of optimism on our girls’ team is the highest it has ever been. We are not only battle-tested, but you can tell that our top group of girls has really bought into the program. They have made the sacrifice, now they are looking for the payoff.”
The assistant coaches this season are Jenn Forsey and Kiersten Hughey.
Thomas’s first meet is Sept. 14 at Black Creek.
