Look for new faces at front of pack

Practice started for high school cross country teams last week. Wayne County schools saw many outstanding runners pick up their diplomas last season, and it could affect the balance of power in boys cross country for this season.  

The same is true for girls cross country, but a bigger problem for the girls is lack of participation. Only Centerville, Northeastern and Richmond were able to compete in the sectional last season with complete teams.

Boys

Richmond, Northeastern and Hagerstown advanced to the boys regional round a season ago.  

Richmond won the boys sectional last season but graduated sectional champion Alex Orihuela, along with eighth-place finisher Ethan Miller. Second-place finisher Greyson Farmer and 11th-place finisher Xavier Ogle return to lead a deep Red Devil team, which appears to be poised for a possible repeat. Cale Newton, Julian Bowden and Bryce Cordova also return from the sectional team.

Third-place sectional finisher Northeastern graduated Logan Smith, Nolan Drake and Bryston McFarland. They will rebuild with returning sectional runners Lucas Chamness, Benjamin Brandt, Dalton Justice and Nicolas Markward.

Fourth-place sectional finisher Hagerstown graduated their top runner, fourth-place finisher Kaden Young, but will return Bryce Tinkle, Jackson Boyce, Kenrick Herr, Max Cabrera, Braydon Sanders and Brock Creech. 

Centerville, who finished seventh in the sectional, graduated its top runner, sixth-place finisher Kyle Sheard. Clay Johnson, Levi Morgan, Grayson Hawkins, Tate Chasteen, Abram Jarvis and Jayden Cornett return.

Cambridge City Lincoln graduated four-year performer Brody Puckett, their top runner. The Eagles could not field a complete sectional team last season, but they do return Luke Cottrell, Desmond Bex and Owen Osborne to rebuild around. Seton Catholic did not enter runners in the boys sectional last season.   

Girls

Richmond, which finished third, Centerville, which finished fourth, and Northeastern, which finished eighth in the girls sectional last season, each graduated key runners but will still be competitive. 

Kendra Shipman, who was the top area sectional runner and finished eighth in the sectional, graduated from Centerville along with Delaney Foster, Julie Carter and Tizeta Jarvis. Centerville returns Anna Nevels, Lily Black and Evie Morgan.

Northeastern entered five runners in the sectional last year and all are expected to return. Heather Crull, who led the Knights with a 12th-place sectional finish, is a world-class wrestler and her participation will be affected by her wrestling commitments. Madelyn Green, Daisee Spence, Bella Stoops and Samantha Whallon also return for the Knights.

Richmond graduated Lizzy Graham, Allison Stout and Maggie Blair, but returns Keena Barker, Katy Peacock, Olivia Bailey and Lena Allen.

Hagerstown and Seton Catholic lacked the numbers to enter a complete sectional team, and both will have to find more runners for this season.

Gwynie Falcone and Sara Swinney both secured Top 25 sectional finishes and both will return for Seton Catholic.

Logan Klein, one of only two Hagerstown runners in the sectional field last year, graduated. Avery Blunk is the only Hagerstown returnee with sectional experience.

Cambridge City Lincoln did not enter runners in the girls sectional last season.   

Hagerstown and Northeastern will open their seasons on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Early Bird Invitational, hosted by Blue River Valley High School. 

Richmond opens its season on Aug. 17 at the Valley Cross kickoff, hosted by Terre Haute South Vigo High School.  

Cambridge City Lincoln and Seton Catholic both open their seasons on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Southwestern (Shelby) Small School Invitational. 

Centerville opens its season at the Wayne County meet on Monday, Aug. 26.