By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Losing only one athlete (Rhea Fiorita) off last year’s state qualifying team, the Waterford High School girls cross country squad hopes to reclaim the Southern Lakes Conference crown this fall.
Last year, the girls finished second by just one point to Lake Geneva Badger.
The Wolverine boys, who also were second in the SLC last year, will have a tougher challenge as last year’s squad was loaded with seniors.
For the girls squad, head coach Nate Schreiber said that “the returning letterwinners look strong early and are poised to take a step up in 2012.
“We lost one of our most talented runners, Jenny Gilbreath, halfway through the 2011 season. Keeping her healthy in 2012 will add another dimension to the team.”
Schreiber believes that if the team stays healthy it will compete for the SLC crown in October.
When it comes to post-season action, Schreiber noted that Waterford will now compete in the Muskego sectional, rather than the one at UW-Parkside. The Muskego sectional, he said, has some of the toughest teams in southeastern Wisconsin.
“Qualifying (for state) will be a challenge, but a challenge we are not afraid of,” he said.
Returning letterwinners for the Wolverine girls are seniors Hannah Jost and Jenny Gilbreath; juniors Kayla Kinateder, Valerie Knurr and Jessica Krupinski; and sophomores Jenny Murphy and Makenna Reed.
A promising newcomer is freshman Lauren Dziak.
A total of 28 girls are out for the squad: four seniors, 10 juniors, seven sophomores and seven freshmen.
For the Wolverine boys, the key will be how well the younger runners develop behind senior leader Grant Brooks.
The only other returning letterwinner, besides Brooks, is junior Mychal Grube.
Boys to watch are seniors Kyle Grinwald, Garrit Pearson and Clay Zortman; and sophomores Trent Rudebeck and Mark Schneider.
Thirty-three boys came out for the team, including nine seniors, five juniors, 10 sophomores and nine freshmen.
While noting that the 2011 squad a senior loaded, Schreiber added that it was also a team that had a number of promising developing freshmen.
“2012 will be continuation of that development of young talent,” Schreiber said.
Schreiber believes Brooks has the potential to be a frontrunner.
“The success we have this season will depend on how well those underclassmen train and develop under the leadership of Brooks,” Schreiber added. “We will also need some returning junior varsity athletes to step up and fill the holes left behind by the outgoing seniors.”
Competing for an SLC title will be a challenge, Schreiber concedes, but one the team will strive for.
Overall, Schreiber said the goal for both teams is to stay healthy, train hard and smart, and carry that training over into the meets.
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