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With only 8 All Staters returning, lots of new names will
be showing up in the top ranks individually this season. Three of those
guys are from Middletown giving the Cavs a potentially high-powered front
pack. Division 2 rivals Archmere and Wilmington Christian return
intact squads and are very motivated. Salesianum and St. Mark's were
senior-dominated last year and will have to replace that experience with
younger but talented runners.
Please keep in mind that this is a preview and not a
prediction of how things will go this year. It is still much to
early to tell what effect injuries, freshmen, upper classmen out for first
time or transfers may have.
DIVISION 2
ARCHMERE returns almost the whole
team as they try to defend last year's championship. Soph Peter
McBride (3rd Team AS) leads the way along with senior Rich Heffron, soph
Jason Nista and juniors Eric Longo and Ryan McSpadden. The Auks had
a 30 second gap between 4th and 5th man last year and Coach Noel Breger is
hoping to narrow that. Lots of potential here.
WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN three consecutive second place finishes
give the Warriors a sense of accomplishment but make them even more
motivated to unseat the Auks. Div 2 Champ Chris Lucernoni (Jr) and
3rd teamer Jeff Raybould (Sr) are standouts. Scott Cherry and Luke
Holbrook (injured for States) are proven runners. John Ausema's team
has reason for confidence.
LAKE FOREST loses Mike Gleeson but has Mike Hazeltine and Brad
Lands back to form nucleus of a team that always contends strongly for
Coach Jim Blades.
SEAFORD will be counting on Sr. Cameron Fitzgerald, Jr Seth Elder
and soph Brian Lloyd to lead the way at a school where interest is on the
upswing.
DICKINSON finished strongly last year led by senior Jon Marshall
who will be missed greatly but AJ Woods is back to set the pace for the
Rams. Corey Shubra and Eddie Cox will also be counted on.
HODGSON will miss Andrew Scarpitti but Coach Feeley has good
numbers lately and the team is moving in the right direction.
CHARTER had a great dual meet season last year and they should have
a bigger impact in the big meets this year. Colin Dentil- Post is a
proven leader on a team who returns almost everyone.
MILFORD will be led by Chad Carpenter (6th, D2) while Soph Kyle
Kershner (8th, D2) returns at TATNALL who are hoping for improved
numbers this year.
DIVISION 1
MIDDLETOWN will count heavily on
Seniors Jeff Wilber and Matt Ayers and Jr. Steve Blanco to spearhead the
attack along with Jeremy Lambert and Joe Barry. As this school gets
bigger, so does the team and the Cavs, under coach Bill Dubois are a team
on the rise.
SALESIANUM lost four top guys to graduation but have every reason
to be optimistic with a strong junior class waiting to step in.
Track standouts PJ Meany and Ryan Hamill return along with All_NCC Mike
Zeberkiewicz and Ryan Lord. Sean Gambogi, Jay Hartnett and Mike
McKee should also compete for spots.
ST. MARK'S lost 4 All State runners as well and will be
inexperienced. Last years 5th man Chad Darlington should lead while
Sr. Eric Wickersham and Jrs Matt Griffith and Zak Golladay have varsity
experience. The team has potential but many question marks.
CAESAR RODNEY contends every year but lost Gordineer and Whitton
from a squad that wasn't especially deep. Brad Green and Jed Mountz
are top returnees. Coach Bell's team should improve as the year goes
on.
BRANDYWINE will rely on All County Pat Nobles to set the
pace. Brett Fisher and Mark Pecorello ran well last year and should
improve.
NEWARK has top returnee from last year in Austin Knight who is a
candidate for Runner of Year honors. Pat Wilcox showed flashes last
year and could be a big factor
AI DUPONT has a very strong 1-2 punch back in Srs Steve Hakes and
Kevin Lanigan as well as Jr Peter Roth. Expect the Tigers to improve
markedly this season.
MCKEAN suffered heavy graduation losses as the reliable Tuoni,
Bennett and Raiford completed their careers. Ryan Wildey is top
returner and has big time potential.
CAPE HENLOPEN will be sparked by Matt Jackson and Matt Riggin and
could move up if JV runners show expected improvement.
DOVER showed signs of life last year and are a potential darkhorse
in the HenlopenConference.
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