Berkshire’s cross country teams have a long history of success and the Badgers hope to add to their legacy in 2017.
The girls’ team finished sixth at the Division III state meet and sixth at the regional meet last fall. Three girls with state meet experience return, leaving third-year head coach David Kindall excited about the upcoming season.
“We are led by a group of good seniors this year that are driven to get back to the state meet as a team,” Kindall said. “Last year, the girls won the (Chagrin Valley Conference) and were second at the district meet. Our focus is pack running and working together in practices and meets. We have a solid foundation of 19 to 20-minute runners that encourage each other and push each other to be better.”
Leading the way for the Badgers is sophomore Madison Romask, who finished 17th at regionals and 51st at state with a time of 19:46.2.
“She had a great freshman year running 19:28 and we are looking to have her run under 19 this year and hopefully make a run for the podium at the state meet,” Kindall said.
Seniors Natalie Girolamo and Amy Pfiester also return with state meet experience.
Girolamo finished 19th at regionals and 64th at state (19:57.1).
“Natalie finished last cross country season with some very strong races,” Kindall said. “She has been a key component the last two years on the girls’ team in the postseason where she really pushes herself to the limit to help her team get to the state and regional meet. Natalie steps it up when we need it and we are looking for her to do it again this year.”
Pfiester finished 26th at regionals and 93rd at state (20:29.5).
“Amy improved her time over a minute from her sophomore to junior year and is now sitting around the 20-minute mark,” Kindall said. “Her strong push at the end of last season helped carry the girls to the state meet and she is coming off of a track season where she moved up in distance to help make herself stronger for cross.”
The Badgers added a quality runner in senior Macie Donaldson.
“Macie was a nice addition for the season,” Kindall said. “This is her first season running since middle school while she was at school in Florida. I am excited to see her race, and based on what I have seen, I think she will fall right in the mix with our front pack.”
That core group will have to stay focused and healthy as the Badgers have limited depth this season.
“We only have a team of 10 girls and already have a couple that are dealing with lingering injuries from last track season,” Kindall said, “They are very good at telling me when things hurt so I can back them off on training and help get them through the season.”
Kindall is equally as optimistic about his boys’ team.
The Badgers failed to make it out of the district last year but have several quality runners and the goal of extending their season this fall.
“With the additions to the team and the hard work that the boys have put in over the summer I think that making it to the regional meet should be an easy mark,” Kindall said. “We have a very solid front pack that is going to be exciting to watch. Most of the boys’ team met over the summer in smaller groups to get runs in, and they are seeing the benefits pay off. The team has a nice mix of new and older runners that work well with each other.”
Sophomore Robert O’Conke is the lone Badger who advanced to the Division II regional meet last season. He finished 41st with a time of 17:56.83.
“Robert finished last cross country season very strong, earning himself a spot at the regional meet as a freshman,” Kindall said. “I think with his experience last year at the regional meet and seeing how different of a race it is, he can improve his position and be in the running for a state qualification. He is coming off a good summer of training, which is showing in practices and workouts.”
Senior Seth Byler and junior James Patterson also have plenty of experience and could make a push for the regional meet.
“Seth put in a good summer of training and is looking to lead his team back to the regional meet, which they missed out on last year. He is very focused and is working with the younger runners to show them what hard work can do. Seth is using missing out on the regional meet last year as fuel to help get his team back,” Kindall said. “James is another runner that put in a strong summer this year. He wants to be an impact runner on the team and is showing that. James has moved up from a 6-to-8 runner to a 1-to-3 runner on this year’s team. I am very excited to watch him compete this year.”
Kindall also expects to see newcomers Sam Adams and Josiah Cheung work their way into the front of the pack.
Adams, a sophomore, and Cheung, a junior, both played soccer last fall.
“Sam had an amazing freshman year track season by scoring at the district meet in a loaded 1600 field. Sam played soccer last year, but after his track season he decided to try cross country and play soccer. Sam has been a leader in the workouts, and I think will be the key to getting to boys to the regional meet,” Kindall said. “Josiah has been a contributing member of the track team and realized how much he could help the cross country team. He fits right in with the lead pack and helps push the longer distance runners in the shorter speed workouts.”
The Badgers open the season on Saturday in the Berkshire Early Bird Invitational at Kent State University’s Geauga Campus.
