Kirtland returns two runners with regional meet experience and a host of others with the potential to run their way deep into the postseason this fall.
Sophomore Reilly Greenlee earned a spot in the regional meet last fall while Julie Namciu ran in the second leg of the postseason in 2017.
“The girls return two regional qualifiers and Reilly and Julie were also the first two second-team All-(Chagrin Valley Conference) spots last season along with being News-Herald all-stars last year,” Kirtland coach JP Moran said. “The boys return first-team All-CVC runner Ian McGreal and add John Sayle as an upperclassman joining cross country for the first time and running well so far this summer.”
With Greenlee, Namciu, McGreal and Sayle, the Hornets have runners capable of finishing near the front of the pack.
The key for the Hornets is to develop their depth.
“For the girls, we need people to step up and fill the spots left vacant from the largest senior class in Kirtland cross country history,” Moran said. “On the boys’ side, we should have a good 1-2 punch but lack depth so each runner will be very important.”
Despite splitting her time with the Kirtland soccer team, Greenlee finished her freshman campaign with a personal record time of 20:55.
“Reilly had a great freshman season and she is in really good shape coming into this season,” Moran said. “She does soccer and cross country both in the fall and has great potential in both areas. She enters her sophomore season with some very good accolades from freshman year.”
Namciu, a junior, ran her personal best time of 20:56 in 2017.
“Julie will control her own destiny this season,” Moran said. “She has the talent and experience to run very well and could make a run at first-team CVC and regionals with some hard work and gutsy racing.”
Junior Aimee Baldrey earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season. Her personal best time is 23:05.
“Aimee is an experienced veteran now and should be looking at a top 3 or 4 spot on the varsity team this season,” Moran said. “She was consistently in our top five last season and has a chance to fill spots left by graduation.”
McGreal, a junior, ran a PR of 18:42.
“Ian had a solid season last year and had a good track season this past spring,” Moran said. “He attended running camp this summer and should be a solid runner at the top of our order this season.”
Sayle has played soccer the past three seasons and after a strong track season in the spring decided to also join the cross country team this fall.
He ran a 17:58 earlier this summer.
“John had a really solid track season this past spring and has put in a ton of hard work this summer and has looked great early on this season,” Moran said. “He is hungry, disciplined, and has a tremendous work ethic. We are so excited he decided to join us this season.”
Junior Jonny Jackson provides quality depth for the Hornets.
He has a PR of 19:50.
“Jonny has some real potential to race in our top 3 this season,” Moran said. “He has run some races this summer and has a chance this season to really improve on his PR and place on the team.”
