By Sonny Amato, Staff writer

DOVER - Caesar Rodney High girls' cross country coach Charlie Bell knows he has a team capable of defending its Division I state title.

Now, if he could only figure out exactly which team that is.

The Riders (9-0) dominated the Henlopen Conference once again this season and have runners up and down their lineup that are capable of putting up good times.

But with conference and state meets just around the corner, that's exactly what poses a problem for Bell.

"I know who my top three or four are," he said. "But when we get down to the five, six or seven spots, it's tough to tell.

"Meet to meet, we have three or four girls that change positions."

The Henlopen Conference meet is Saturday at Killens Pond State Park. The state meet is Nov. 9 and is also at Killens Pond.

CR's consistent top finishers have been senior Kashante Codner, sophomores Ashley Miller and Elizabeth Paul and Jenay Friend.

"We've had our ups and downs," said Codner, who has consistently been the Riders' No. 1 finisher. "But I think we've done well as a team and proved that we're still strong."

They hope that strength can carry them to a second straight crown. But with upstate teams like Padua and Bradywine, having strong freshman classes, Caesar Rodney knows it has its work cut out for it.

"I think it's going to be tough to defend our title," said Kodner. "It's definitely going to be a good race, but that's what you want."

CR's only significant loss to graduation last year was Jill Hajec, who Bell said contributed more to the Riders than just strong running.

"She was a leader that kept things together," Bell said. "No one has really stepped up to say 'Come on girls' but me. And it's better when it comes from the athletes. We're giants without a head right now."

Caesar Rodney proved its strength in the rough conditions at Schutte Park Tuesday, where it took first place in the annual Kent County meet. Kashante Codner braved the cold rain and 40-degree temperatures to take first place.

"Don't get me wrong, these girls work hard," said Bell. "I told them at the beginning of the season that I'd be happy if they just continue to improve."

But just how far they've come won't be evident until the Riders have a chance to prove themselves against the rest of the state.

"It's exciting," said Codner. "I think all of us have gotten better since the beginning of the season."

Milford, Delaware runner chasing mark 

By Gary King, Staff writer

October 22, 2002

MILFORD - Chad Carpenter never really planned to have a career in cross country. It just sort of happened.  Four years ago, when he first went out for the Milford High cross country team, he didn't know what to expect. "I wasn't good at any other sports, so I thought I would just try cross country," Carpenter said. "It sure has turned out to be more than I thought it would be back when I was a freshman." Now a senior, Carpenter will finish his high school career as one of the top cross country runners the program has produced in recent years. Carpenter has been Milford's top finisher in 40 straight races dating back to his sophomore season. 

"Chad certainly is one of the best I have ever coached and I have had some great runners on the teams I have coached," said Buccaneer coach Czar Bloom. "He has the work ethic and he has been a godsend to our program. "He has been in a zone since the beginning of the season. He has set a goal to be one of the state's elite runners this year and he is having a great senior season."

Carpenter is chasing the school record of 16:34 set in 1986 by former Milford High standout Chris Ayers, a Division II state individual champion. Carpenter recently recorded a 16:44 at the Bellevue State Park Invitational, which is just 10 seconds short of Ayers' record. Ayers is the only individual state champion in cross country the school has produced. Carpenter would like nothing else but to be the second. "I have never met Chris Ayers but I have heard some really interesting stories about him when he was a student-athlete at Milford," said Carpenter. "I'm glad he was here. He certainly has helped me set some lofty goals for myself. "It is great to be in a position to go after his accomplishments." Carpenter claimed one of Ayers' records last spring in track in the 3200 meters. He has his sights set on the 1600 this spring.

"Chad has not lost his focus this season and has concentrated on his performance level," said Bloom. "There are a ton of great runners out there and he has worked hard to remain one of them. If he goes out and runs his best in the upcoming county and conference meets, who knows what could happen. "The ultimate goal is to be number one. Chad is just one of the those wonderful athletes." Last season Dover's Charles Gibson came down and defeated Carpenter in the Kent County meet, which Milford hosted. The two runners went stride for stride the entire race with Gibson edging Carpenter out at the end. Dover will host the Kent County meet this season. Carpenter would love to defeat Gibson on his home course.

First, Gibson and Carpenter will square off this afternoon at 4:30 when Milford hosts a quad meet with Dover, Seaford and Sussex Central. Milford's top seven runners include six seniors whom have more than 20 years running experience among them. "Charles (Gibson) is a great runner and I would love to win the meet with Dover and get the Milford record at the same time," Carpenter said. "I certainly have my sights set on him. Charles and I are friends and I'm going to have to come out hard like Dover does as a team.

"I have really savored the moments so far this season. It would be great to get a few more before the end of the season."

Carpenter has made all-Henlopen Conference for the three previous seasons as well as earning second-team all-state honors last season.

Carpenter will also challenge for a Division II individual state championship on Nov. 9 at Killens Pond State Park. Carpenter will be expected to be among the top contenders along with Kyle Kerschner of Tatnall, Pete McBride of Archmere and Tyler Mayforth of Mt. Pleasant.

Carpenter is no stranger to the course at Killens Pond.

"I love to run at Killens Pond. I have run there so many times," he said. "It would be great to end the season on top of the state." Carpenter plans to continue his running in college and is considering three Division I programs. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Appalachian State, and West Virginia are tops on Carpenter's list