JP Moran has coached at Kirtland for 16 years and he’d have a hard time identifying a preseason more exciting than the current one.
Moran’s excitement is based on the quality of runners he has returning and the size of his squad in general.
“We have the largest team in school history so competition for the top seven should be intense this season,” Moran said. “We have some new freshmen runners and a few new upperclassmen to go along with all returning letter winners from last season, so it will be interesting to see how the team competition plays out.”
With one returning regional qualifier and five others who earned all-league honors, the Hornets have plenty of depth and are in position to make a run for the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division title.
“A lofty goal for us would be to compete for a conference championship,” Moran said. “It has been a while since Kirtland has won a CVC title. We also have individual goals of advancing in the postseason. We need to work hard each week and compete for spots, not only on our team, but in the meets with other teams. We will need a solid top five pack with some low times and numbers.”
Leading the way for the Hornets is senior Sydney Snyder, who placed 33rd at regionals last season and also was named second team all-CVC.
She also came close to breaking into the top 10 times in school history.
Sophomore Lauren Snyder, Sydney’s sister, earned first team all-league honors but narrowly missed advancing out of the district meet. She also came close to running her way into the school’s top 10 and qualified for the state track meet last spring.
“Lauren and Sydney Snyder were a top force last season and a great one-two punch for our program,” Moran said. “Sydney was a regional qualifier last season in cross and is coming back from surgery and looking to ease back into her senior year and finish strong. Lauren was a first team CVC runner last cross season and is coming off a tremendous freshman track season, qualifying individually for regionals in the 3200 and as a member of the state qualifying 4×8 team. She is extremely focused on leaving her mark this season.”
Junior Emily Crebs earned honorable mention all-conference honors and is looking forward to another strong season.
“She has worked really hard this summer,” Moran said. “She is a team leader as a junior and is poised to have a solid season.”
Three all-league performers provide the boys’ squad with a solid foundation.
Juniors Jake Grdadolnik and Konnor Duncan both earned second team all-CVC honors last fall while senior Colton Zanko was named honorable mention.
“Jake put in a great summer. He has been racing all summer and is very focused on having a great junior season,” Moran said. “Konnor attended multiple cross country camps this summer to improve on his season from last year. He is also focused on a successful junior campaign. Colton looks good at practice and should be a solid runner for our team this season.”
Kirtland’s first race is the Berkshire Early Bird Invitational at Kent State’s Geauga Campus on Aug. 26.
