BLUE HEN

A.I. DU PONT
TOP RUNNERS: Peter Roth, sr.; Steve Hilk, so.; Dan Ditzler, sr.; Vince Buerfer, sr.
OUTLOOK: Looking to rebuild after graduating five from a team that won Flight A last year. Roth is a top runner in the conference.

CHRISTIANA
TOP RUNNERS: Donnie Gordy, sr.; Mickey Jones, jr.; Chris Simpson, jr.
OUTLOOK: The Vikings are young and anticipate a rebuilding season.

DICKINSON
TOP RUNNERS: Jon Sestak, sr.; Kevin Jackson, jr.; Dan Gleman, jr.; Jeff Bosco, so.; Travis Biggs, jr.
OUTLOOK: Experience is what the Rams will count on most this year.

McKEAN
TOP RUNNERS: Stefan Wirth, jr.; Ray Shelden, jr.; Matt Collins, so.
OUTLOOK: The Highlanders look young this season, but some strong underclassmen have put them in the preseason Top 10.

MIDDLETOWN
TOP RUNNERS: Steve Blanco, sr.; Chris Bramwell, jr.; Andrew Wilber, jr.; Ben McKinnon, so.; Joe Baery, sr.
OUTLOOK: The Cavaliers return a strong nucleus but are still facing a lack of depth. The annually-contending team lost a lot to graduation.

HENLOPEN

CAESAR RODNEY
TOP RUNNERS: James Carter, sr., Kyle Luke, jr.
OUTLOOK: Caesar Rodney coach Charles Bell said he is looking for a leader to step up and lead.

CAPE HENLOPEN
TOP RUNNERS: Greg Swift, sr.; Nick Lemon, jr.; Evan Mock, so.; Vince Lewis, sr.; Andrew Rogers, so.
OUTLOOK: The Vikings only return three of their top seven runners from a year ago, so it could take them a while to jell.

DOVER
TOP RUNNERS: Richard Worley, sr.; Patrick Boyle, sr.; Charles Gibson, jr.; Aaron Baldwin, sr.; Gary Smith, sr.; Steve Adamson, so.; George Sand, sr.
OUTLOOK: The Senators return their top six runners from last season, but fall off sharply after that. Depth is a concern, but they could develop into a contender by the time the post-season races roll around. The Senators start the season ranked No. 9.

LAKE FOREST
TOP RUNNERS: Mike Hazetine, sr.
OUTLOOK: Chad Culver takes over the Spartans' program from long-time coach Jim Blades. He is encouraged by the youth, enthusiasm and energy his team has displayed in practice.

MILFORD
TOP RUNNERS: Chad Carpenter, sr.; Justin Bloom, sr.; Scott Hall, sr.; Chris Demby, sr.; Joey Palumbo, sr.; Keith Short, sr.; Jon Wyman, jr.; Ben Smith, jr.
OUTLOOK: Carpenter is the Buccaneers' top returnee. He was second-team All-State last year. Experienced team that hopes to contend.

POLYTECH
TOP RUNNERS: Tim Moran, jr.; Logan Mears, sr.; Mike Desmond, sr.; Nate Lee, sr.
OUTLOOK: Enthusiasm surrounds the boys program, which will field a full team for the first time in two years. Good individual talent as well.

SEAFORD

TOP RUNNERS: Brian Lloyd, jr.; Andrew Perciful, jr.; Jordan Rollins, so.; Henry Rohlich, so.; Judson Duryea, sr.; Jason Enders, sr.; Kyle Morgan, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Blue Jays have four solid top four runners that should keep them competitive in the dual meets. Team is still looking for five to seven runners among new or inexperienced runners. They won't know what they will have until the season starts.

SUSSEX TECH

TOP RUNNERS: Chris Singh.

OUTLOOK: Lou Nicoletti returns to Sussex Tech as the cross country coach. He coached at Delcastle from 1980-92 and then at Sussex Tech from 1993-96. He has spent the last three years teaching and coaching in Southern California. The Ravens are looking for more runners for their team.

NONCONFERENCE

ARCHMERE

TOP RUNNERS: Peter McBride, jr.; Eric Longo, sr.; Pat O'Neill, sr.; Ryan McSpadden, sr.; Jason Nista, jr.; Billy DiNardo, jr.; John Corsini, so.; Chris Bourke, fr.

OUTLOOK: Archmere placed second in the Division II boys state meet last year behind Cape Henlopen. The Auks return five of their top seven runners, have solid newcomers, and expect a few other surprises.

SALESIANUM

TOP RUNNERS: Liam Corey, sr.; Sean Gambogi, sr.; Ryan Hamill, sr.; Jay Hartnett, sr.; Tom Lord, sr.; PJ Meany, sr.; John Wirt, sr.; Mike Zeberkiewicz, sr.; Sean Dececchis, jr.; Joe Donnelly, so.; Alex Gambogi, so.

OUTLOOK: Salesianum is the team that everybody points to annually as the favorite in boys cross country - and for good reason. The Sals have won the state title 28 times in the past 33 years. With a team that is sporting a lot of depth and ranked No. 9 in the nation by The Harrier, Salesianum will be tough to beat again this year.

ST. ELIZABETH

TOP RUNNERS: Zachary Crockett, Bryan Deleski, Devon Powell, Ryan Galster

OUTLOOK: Young team hoping to makes strides after struggling with a lack of runners last year.

ST. MARK'S

TOP RUNNERS: Chad Darlington, sr.; Zak Golladay, sr.;  Matt O'Brian, jr.; Pat Griffith, so.; Kyle Hoffman, so.

OUTLOOK: The Spartans finished a distant third in the Division II state meet last year. They have the potential to be better this year, despite losing three varsity runners. Darlington and Golladay were both all-state runners last year, and to start things off are ranked No. 2 in the preseason Top 10.

ST. THOMAS MORE

TOP RUNNERS: Matt Hall, sr.; Matt Letnaunchyn, sr.; Danny Gallagher, sr.

OUTLOOK: St. Thomas More returns all of its top runners from last year's team.

TATNALL

TOP RUNNERS: Kyle Kershner, jr. (2001 Division II individual state champion); Steve Brown, jr.; Mike Ward, jr.; Jeff Boehmer, so.; Andrew Ruoss, fr.; Erick Katzenstein, jr.; Will Vinton, fr.; Andrew Ferry, jr.
OUTLOOK: The Hornets placed fourth in last year's Division II state meet and enjoyed a good summer of training. The team, ranked No. 7, is young but determined to do the best the school has ever finished at states.

TOWER HILL
TOP RUNNERS: Corbin Director, sr.; Michael Klein, sr.; Dave Runkle, sr.; Tim Chauner, sr.

OUTLOOK: The Hillers hope to improve on last year's 4-10 record, but will have to replace its top three runners from last season. Tower Hill has 17 runners out this fall and adds depth that it previously lacked.

WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN

TOP RUNNERS: Chris Lucernoni, sr. (two-time All-State and 2000 state champ); Peter Irwin, jr.; Will Deike, jr.

OUTLOOK: The team lost six seniors, including three of its top five runners, so it has some holes to fill. But Lucernoni is a top-notch runner.

09/05/2002

BLUE HEN

A.I. DU PONT

TOP RUNNERS: Jackie Reifschneider, so., Stephanie Shaw, sr.

OUTLOOK: Reifschneider is a returning first-team All-State runner, but the Tigers seek runners behind her.

CHARTER

TOP RUNNERS: Pooja Aysola, jr.; Laura Boyd, jr.; Jaclynn Kozlowski, jr.; Sarah Kong, jr.; Lauren Kremer, sr.; Colleen McCoy, sr.; Kelsey Paulsen, fr.; Rachel Ramlochen, jr.; Chrissy Reyes, sr.; Emily Smith, sr.; Sarah Smith, sr.; Bridget Wessel, sr.; Jamie Winn, jr.

OUTLOOK: Team has depth, but must work on lowering times.

CHRISTIANA

TOP RUNNERS: Stephanie Watras, so.; Allison Johnson, so.; Salem Shalom, jr.; Jackie Rehm, jr.

OUTLOOK: Vikings are young, but can improve on 6-5 season last year.

DICKINSON

TOP RUNNERS: Brittany Turner, jr.; Britta Bimbi, so.; Jill Chapin, jr.; Colleen Hulsman, fr.; Kelly Wheeler, sr.; Julie Tulloch, sr.; Jamielyn McDevitt, so.

OUTLOOK: A strong top three, but the Rams need more depth.

MCKEAN

TOP RUNNERS: Mandy Stille, sr.; Jessica Kaszeta, jr.; Emily Smathers, so.

OUTLOOK: Behind Stille, the Highlanders look to follow up on finishing as runner-up in Flight A last year.

MIDDLETOWN

TOP RUNNERS: Laura Billings, sr.; Sami Nimmerichter, jr.; Katelyn Ealer, jr.; Lindsay Smith, sr.; Jen Feister, so.; Casey Gonce, so.; Kim Moran, jr.; Sarah Kinney, jr.; Lisa Young, sr.

OUTLOOK: Nimmerichter leads promising young runners on a deep girls team.

HENLOPEN

CAESAR RODNEY

TOP RUNNERS: Kasheka Codner, jr.; Kashante Codner, sr.; Ashley Miller, so.; Elizabeth Paul, so.; Natalie Robbins, so.; Midori Hartman, jr.; Julie Wagner, jr.

OUTLOOK: Girls have a good chance at defending their state title, as they return seven of their top eight runners. The Codner sisters and Paul all finished in the top 10 at last year's Division I state meet.

CAPE HENLOPEN

TOP RUNNERS: Marybeth Betts, so.; Rebecca Riedel, so.; Maggie Pederson, sr.; Betsy Hicks, jr.; Erin Williams, sr.; Amy Mallamo, jr.

OUTLOOK: Cape Henlopen has a young team. The Vikings return four from last year's team.

DOVER

TOP RUNNERS: Katie Walsh, jr.; Tiffanee Lee, sr.; Jasmine Baldwin, so.; Ammela Gardiner, sr.; Lori Castro, sr.; Nikki Patel, sr.

OUTLOOK: A young girls team will look to three seniors for leadership. They hope to improve on a 5-5 season.

LAKE FOREST

TOP RUNNERS: Allyson Wilson, so.; Lauren Jumper, jr.

OUTLOOK: The girls won the Division II state title last year, but lost three of their top five runners and could be hurt by a lack of depth.

MILFORD

TOP RUNNERS: Megan Pastor, sr.; Amber Zedney, sr.; Amanda Meade, jr.; Dana Rathfon, jr.; Jessica Fitzpatrick, so.; Lindsay Kenton, so.; Maire O'Neill, so.; Rosie Seagraves, so.

OUTLOOK: Pastor, a four-year varsity runner, and sophomore Kenton will keep the Buccaneers in the running.

POLYTECH

TOP RUNNER: Erica Freeman, sr.

OUTLOOK: The girls will field a full squad for the first time in two years, and have good individual talent.

SEAFORD

TOP RUNNERS: Caitlin McGroerty, jr.; Cristina Garmendia, jr.; Kate LaPrad, sr.; Christie Tobin, jr.; Maggie Trefney, jr.; Tara Potter, sr.; Emma Millman, jr.

OUTLOOK: The girls return a strong core of runners from the team that finished second in the Division II meet last year. Inexperience in their fifth through seventh spots could hurt them in early big meets, but the Blue Jays will be a strong contender for a state championship.

INDEPENDENT

TATNALL

TOP RUNNERS: Meghan Phillips, jr.; Jenna Spivak, so.

OUTLOOK: With Meredith Lambert gone, Phillips returns as the new leader.

TOWER HILL

TOP RUNNERS: Lisa Klein, so.; Julie Pike, jr.

OUTLOOK: Klein and Pike fill in for a large number of graduated runners.

CATHOLIC

ARCHMERE

TOP RUNNERS: Kristen Travers, jr.; Laura Severance, sr.; Stephanie Norman, jr.; Jenna Wiercinski, so.; Ashley Szczesiak, jr.

OUTLOOK: The Auks are one of state's most improved teams.

PADUA

TOP RUNNERS: Beth Meany, jr.; Jessica Walsh, so.; Janet Cleary, so.

OUTLOOK: Meany and Walsh make the Pandas state title contenders.

ST. ELIZABETH

TOP RUNNERS: Nyssa Ganakis, Becky Grey, Jessica Haughney.

OUTLOOK: Grey was a second-team all-Catholic selection last year.

ST. MARK'S

TOP RUNNERS: Jacki Justison, sr.;  Lisa Brothwood, sr.; Sonya Gupta, jr.; Michelle Spadaro, jr.; Liz Rohrbach, so.

OUTLOOK: Justison heads the charge for a Division I state title.

URSULINE

TOP RUNNERS: Julie Taylor, jr.; Kathleen McLaughlin, jr.; Amanda Dougherty, sr.; Kaitlin Walsh, sr.

OUTLOOK: Raiders' experience puts them in Division II title chase.

NONCONFERENCE

ST. THOMAS MORE

TOP RUNNERS: Christina Welsh, so.; Sheena McIntire, sr..

OUTLOOK: All top runners from last year return.

WILMINGTON CHRISTIAN

OUTLOOK: Team is without Lydia Singer, whose family moved to Africa.