Cincinnati Boys Cross Country Preview

The Cincinnati Enquirer By: Dave Schutte
Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Expectations run high for LaSalle and St. Xavier. The Lancers return eight runners from last season's state runner-up team, but they must cope with the loss of individual state champion Allen Bader. The Bombers are looking to win a third state title in five years.

5 teams to watch (large schools)

La Salle: Eight of its top 11 runners return from the state runner-up team. The biggest challenge facing coach Frank Russo is finding a replacement for two-time state champion Bader. Jason Beck and Eric Mayhaus ran in Bader's shadow last season. They are the top returnees after finishing 33rd and 34th, respectively, at state. Senior Dan Mink will add needed depth after switching from soccer. Mink was a member of the 3,200-meter relay team that finished fourth at state in the spring.

St. Xavier: The Bombers will try to keep two impressive streaks intact this season. First, win a 10th consecutive district title. Second, qualify for state for a 16th consecutive year. The Bombers have won two state championships (1998, 2000) and been runner-up twice in the last five years. Senior Kyle Kowalski (32nd at state) and juniors Josh Walters (66th) and Tommy Balmat (67th) return to a deep squad. Coach Larry Merkel has 80-85 runners, the 15th straight year with at least 70.

Colerain: Coach Ron Russo believes the biggest challenge facing his team is mental, believing the Cardinals can run with LaSalle and St. Xavier. The Cardinals are led by seniors Tom Kinne and Jason Simcoe.

Middletown: The Middies return their entire squad from last season. Sophomore Jeff See will be one of Ohio's premier runners. He finished 12th at state in 15:46. Junior Michael Veatch and Malcom Tipton were both named first-team Greater Miami Conference last season.

Elder: The Panthers' key will be building on last year's late-season success. Elder finished third at regionals and 14th at state. Junior Mitch Frey is the top returnee after finishing 47th at state. Seniors Dan Newman, Derick Lawrence and Mike Hammersmith are looking to contribute.

5 teams to watch (smaller schools)

Wyoming: Numbers are up and the future has never looked brighter. The Cowboys return nearly everyone from last season's district championship team. Wyoming was the top-ranked small school in the Enquirer's poll every week last season. Ryan Kosianski, the former No.1 runner on the team, returns from an injury this season. Also back are Lucas Nebert, Ian Smith and Matt Barczewski. In his second year as head coach, Andrew Kramer has doubled the size of the team.

McNicholas: The Rockets should be the team to beat in the Greater Catholic League North. Senior Josh Kellerman (58th at state) is the top returnee. He is joined by sophomores Kevin Hacket and Jared Bicker. All three runners earned all-league honors last season.

Hillsboro: Juniors Dugan Wood, Alex Hallstrom, and Jordan Egbert, and sophomores Josh Pierce and Ricky Evans return from last year's state qualifying team. Wood finished 93rd at state to lead the Indians.

Top talents

John Dixon, Fairfield: Dixon finished third at regionals as a junior last year. He was the top local runner at state after Bader with a seventh-place finish (15:39). Dixon was eighth at state in the 3,200-meter run.

Jeff See, Middletown: See notched a top-10 finish at regionals (ninth) and was named first-team all-state after placing 12th at state as a freshman last year. See finished second at state to Bader in the 1,600.

Brad Neumann, Sycamore: The senior is looking to make his fourth consecutive appearance in the state meet. He finished 30th last season with a time of 16:10.

Jason Beck, LaSalle: Beck showed steady improvement as a junior. He peaked in the tournament, placing 14th in the regional and 33rd at state. The Lancers have a history of producing top-notch talent. Beck could be next in line.

Eric Mayhaus, LaSalle: Mayhaus had a similar season to teammate Beck.

Big meets

Aug. 24: Moeller Invitational

Aug. 31: Lakota Invitational

Sept. 7: Princeton Invitational

Sept. 14: Middletown Invitational

Sept. 21: St. Xavier Invitational

Sept. 28: Father Rudy Invitational at Elder

Last year

La Salle, St. Xavier and Elder showed how powerful the GCL-South was last season. The teams finished 1-2-3 at the regional meet last year. La Salle placed second behind Hudson at state, while St. Xavier finished fourth and Elder 14th. Bader claimed a second consecutive individual state championship for the Lancers with a winning time of 15:07.

Tournament trail

District: Oct.12 at Voice of America Park

Regional: Oct.19 at Troy Memorial Stadium

State: Oct.26 at Scioto Downs, Columbus

New this year

The season was moved up one week this year to keep the state event at Scioto Downs, normally the first weekend in November.

8.24.2002

Moeller Invitational <details>
(3.1 miles at Galbriath Field)

Team Standings: (22 teams) 1. St. Xavier 43, 2. Reynoldsburg 60, 3. Elder 103, 4. Moeller 136, 5. Carroll 140, 6. Clev. St. Ignatius 144, 7. Kings 207, 8. Warren East, KY 211, 9. Wyoming 234, 10. St. Henry 282.

Top Finishers: 1. Ealy (Reynoldsburg) 16:09; 2.Walters (StX) 16:30; 3. Mathews (Kings) 16:34; 4. Kowalski (StX) 16:39; 5. Frey (Elder) 16:45; 6. Balmat (StX) 16:48; 7. Trein (Reynoldsburg) 16:54; 8. Sharp (Moeller) 16:56; 9. Kellerman (McNicholas) 17:01; 10. Parker (Reynoldsburg) 17:02.

8.31.2002

Lakota Fall Classic
(3.1 miles at Voice of America Park)

Team Standings: (18 teams) 1. Sycamore 56, 2. Elder 73, 3. Fairfield 83, 4. Moeller 121, 5. Centerville 154, 6. Beavercreek 158, 7. St. Xavier 213, 8. Wyoming 227, 9. Harrison 261, 10. Upper Arlington 279.

Top Finishers: 1. Dixon (Fairfield) 16:03. 2. Neumann (Sycamore) 16:07; 3. Sturges (UppArl) 16:10; 4. Frey (Elder) 16:13; 5. Contreras (Centerville) 16:28; 6. Hildalgo (Beavercreek) 16:36; 7. Stone (Fairfield) 16:42; 8. Tepe (Sycamore) 16:44; 9. Hammersmith (Elder) 16:46; 10. Showman (Fairfield) 16:49.

Kiwanis Taylor Invitational
(3.1 miles at Mitchell Memorial Park)

Team Standings: 1. Taylor 38, 2. St. Xavier A 42, 3. Walnut Hills 84, 4. Oak Hills 115, 5. St. Xavier B 151.

Top Finishers: 1. Gilbert (Walnut Hills) 17:30. 2. Miller (Taylor) 17:44; 3. Keating (StX A) 18:15; 4. Crofford (Taylor) 18:19; 5. McArthur (Taylor) 18:21; 6. McEvoy (StX A) 18:32; 7. Pendl (StX A) 18:36; 8. Pearson (Fin) 18:38; 9. Federle (StX B) 18:43; 10. Pitts (Walnut Hills) 18:53.

9.7.2002

Tiffin Invitational <details>
(at Tiffin, Ohio)

Standings: (34 teams) 1. St. Xavier 83, 2. Bedford 97, 3. Reynoldsburg 108, 4. North Canton Hoover 208, 5. Toledo St. John’s 208, 6. Pickerington 240, 7. Massilion Jackson 248, 8. Landcaster 255, 9. Ashland 290, 10. Elyria 294.

Top Finishers: 1. Ealy (Reynoldsburg) 15:47. 2. Arlinghaus (N. Olmsted) 16:01; 3. Collins (NC Hoover) 16:11; 4. Parker (Reynoldsburg) 16:19; 5. Balmat (StX) 16:20; 6. Kowalski (StX) 16:22; 7. Thomas (Landcaster) 16:25; 8. Matthews (Kings) 16:31; 9. Anastasoff (Bedford) 16:39; 10. Johnston-Peck (Lakewood) 16:45.

Mason Invitational
(at Mason)

Team Standings: 1. Fairfield 25, 2. Harrison 64, 3. Mason 80, 4. St. Xavier A 105, 5. St. Xavier B 125, 6. Lebanon 140.

Top Finishers: 1. Dixon (Fairfield) 16:09; 2. Wiseman (Leb) 16:55; 3. Stone (Fairfield) 17:03; 4. Showman (Fairfield) 17:06; 5. McGlothin (Mason) 17:07; 6. Gest (Mason) 17:09; 7. Trennepohl (Fairfield) 17:14; 8. Koelher (Harrison) 17:21; 9. Kleiner (Harrison) 17:22; 10. Webb (Fairfield) 17:26.

9.14.2002

All-Catholic Invitational <details>
(3.1 miles at Kettering)

Team Standings: 1. Toledo St. John’s 73, 2. St. Ignatius 76, 3. Toledo Cent. Cath. 89, 4. Carroll 116, 5. Toledo St. Francis 136, 6. St. Xavier 141, 7. St. Henry 173, 8. St. Ignatius B 217, 9. McNicholas 235, 10. Roger Bacon 239.

Top Finishers: 1. Fernbach (St. Ignatius) 16:37. 2. Kellerman (McNicholas) 16:41; 3. Orosz (Toledo St. John’s) 16:47; 4. Danks (St. Henry) 16:50; 5. Lemon (Toledo St. John’s) 16:50; 6. Wysocki (TCC) 16:56; 7. Schultz (TCC) 16:58; 8. Danis (Carroll) 17:02; 9. Folz (Roger Bacon) 17:11; 10. Kolodgy (Toledo St. Francis) 17:15.

Harrison Invitational
(3.1 miles at Harrison High School)

Team Standings: 1. Harrison A 29, 2. East Central 40, 3. St. Xavier A 64, 4. St. Xavier B 110, 5. LaSalle 151, 6. Harrison B 157, 7. Winton Woods 165.

Top Finishers: 1. G. Thomas (East Central) 17:03. 2. Koehler (Harrison) 17:09; 3. Heister (LaSalle) 17:19; 4. Kleiner (Harrison) 17:20; 5. Jonas (Harrison) 17:53; 6. Becker (Harrison) 17:57; 7. P. Thomas (East Central) 17:59; 8. Keating (StX A) 18:04; 9. Watson (East Central) 18:05; 10. Zuleger (East Central) 18:07.

9.21.2002

St. Xavier Invitational <details>
(3.1 miles at St. Xavier High School)

Team Standings: (20 teams) 1. Hilliard Davidson 55, 2. St. Xavier 60, 3. Middletown 87, 4. Strongsville 101, 5. Fairfield 104, 6. Harrison 186, 7. Kettering Fairmont 224, 8. Anderson 270, 9. Vandalia Butler 300, 10. Turpin 302.

Top Finishers: 1. Kollar (Strongsville) 15:27 (tied course record). 2. Dixon (Fairfield) 15:36; 3. Burkitt (Hilliard Davidson) 15:52; 4. See (Middletown) 15:53; 5. Nichols (Hilliard Davidson) 15:54; 6. Veatch (Middletown) 15:56; 7. Balmat (StX) 15:58; 8. Kowalski (StX) 16:04; 9. Tipton (Middletown) 16:09; 10. Bailey (Hilliard Davidson) 16:11.

9.28.2002

Fr. Rudy Invitational <details>
(3.1 miles at Rapid Run Park)

Team Standings: 1. Defiance 62, 2. Gahanna Lincoln 92, 3. Elder 93, 4. Lancaster 116, 5. Harrison 124, 6. Oldham Co. 155, 7. St. Xavier 158, 8. Upper Arlington 170, 9. Milford 243, 10. Walnut Hills 284.

Top Finishers: 1. Sturges (UA) 15:39; 2. Frey (Elder) 15:52; 3. Thomas (Lancaster) 15:56; 4. Butler (Defiance) 16:12; 5. Milliser (Lancaster) 16:19; 6. Hammersmith (Elder) 16:19; 7. Bridenbraugh (Defiance) 16:20; 8. Folz (Roger Bacon) 16:20; 9. Koehler (Harrison) 16:22; 10. Deeds (Gahanna Lincoln) 16:26.

Great American Invitational <details>
(3.1 miles at North Carolina)

Team Standings: (25 teams) 1. Mt. View, Utah 125, 2. Hilliard Davidson, Ohio 134, 3. The Woodlands, Texas 158, 4. Kingwood, Texas 235, 5. Henderson, PA 238, 6. Thomas Jefferson, VA 263, 7. Davis, Utah 263, 8. Brookwood, GA 271, 9. LaSalle, Ohio 276, 10. Long Beach Poly, CA 297.

Top Finishers: 1. Steele (Mt. View) 16:50; 2. Burkitt (HD) 16:53; 3. Strickland (Mt. View) 16:54; 4. Gottesfeld (Henderson) 16:55; 5. Preston (Benson) 17:00; 6. Longoria (South View) 17:01; 7. Williams (Henderson) 17:02; 8. Hurtubise (Woodlans) 17:02; 9. Landry (TJ) 17:03; 10. Nye (Davis) 17:06.

10.5.2002

GCL
(3.1 miles at Rapid Run Park)

Team Standings: 1. LaSalle 33, 2. St. Xavier 45, 3. Elder 73, 4. Moeller 77.

Top Finishers: 1. Mayhaus (LaSalle) 15:20; 2. Kowalski (StX) 15:26; 3. Beck (LaSalle) 15:28; 4. Balmat (StX) 15:34; 5. Frey (Elder) 15:35; 6. Walters (StX) 15:41; 7. Dragan (LaSalle) 15:54; 8. Sharp (Moeller) 16:10; 9. Heister (LaSalle) 16:10; 10. Beuerlein (Moeller) 16:11.

10.12.2002

District <details>
(3.1 miles at Voice of America)

Cincinnati I

Team Standings: La Salle 31 (3. Mayhaus 16:07, 4. Beck 16:18, 5. Dragan 16:24, 6. Heister 16:27, 13. Calardo 16:36, 20. Keckeis 16:52, 22. Bittner 16:56)

Fairfield 64 (1. Dixon 15:46, 9. Stone 16:32, 11. B. Showman 16:33, 17. Trennepohl 16:46, 26. Evans 17:05, 28. Webb 17:12, 33. E. Showman 17:32)

Moeller 74 (7. Sharp 16:29, 8. Beuerlein 16:30, 12. Witte 16:34, 23. Hook 16:57, 24. Babiak 16:59, 27. Flaig 17:11, 35. Frost 17:38)

Colerain 116 (15. Kinne 16:40, 19. Simcoe 16:50, 21. Bierkan 16:54, 29. Toelke 17:15, 32. Schlemmer 17:31, 38. Braun 17:40, 45. Miller 17:52)

Kings 129 (2. Matheus 15:59, 10. Winebar 16:33, 14. Ackerman 16:38, 51. Garvin 18:05, 52. Thomen-Brown 18:08, 54. Rover 18:15, 55. Rusche 18:16)

Individual Qualifiers: 16. Gelter (And) 16:42, 18. Meade (Tal) 16:49.

Cincinnati II

Team Standings: St. Xavier 50 (1. Balmat 15:53, 4. Kowalski 16:13, 6. Walters 16:17, 19. Ri. King 16:55, 20. Ra. King 17:00, 24. Keating 17:08, 27. Bird 17:12)

Sycamore 85 (3. Neumann 16:10, 9. Tepe 16:30, 22. Sage 17:05, 25. Rosen 17:09, 26. Schweet 17:11, 30. Wright 17:19, 31. Daniel 17:19)

Elder 137 (8. Frey 16:28, 23. Lawrence 17:08, 34. Weitzel 17:25, 35. Eccard 17:26, 37. Newman 17:28, 71. Leisure 18:51)

Harrison 141 (13. Koehler 16:33, 17. Kleiner 16:45, 28. Jonas 17:13, 38. Becker 17:29, 45. Keller 17:44, 56. Knue 18:16, 61. Grant 18:22)

Mason 141 (12. McGlothlin 16:33, 16. Gest 16:45, 33. Rapp 17:22, 39. Pellitteri 17:30, 41. Hatfield 17:37, 64. Kahn 18:31, 85. Muff 19:33)

Individual Qualifiers: 2. Swartz (Lib) 16:05, 5. Kellerman (Arc) 16:15, 7. Folz (StB) 16:22, 10. Gilbert (Wal) 16:31, 11. Bullock (Win) 16:32, 14. Candella (WChe) 16:34, 15. Peters (Lib) 16:40, 18. Gutzwiller (Wal) 16:46.

10.19.2002

Regionals <details>
(3.1 miles at Troy Memorial Stadium)

Team Standings: 1. La Salle 75 (Mayhaus 16:02; 9. Beck 16:12; 21. Dragan 16:25; 23. Heister 16:30; 33. Keckeis 16:48; 57. Bittner 17:06; 90. Calardo 17:34)
2. St. Xavier 80 (3. Kowalski 16:02; 6. Balmat 16:06; 14. Walters 16:19; 35. King 16:51; 39. King 16:55; 67. Weber 17:18; 114. Ruberg 18:03)
3. Middletown 104 (5. Veatch 16:05; 8. See 16:10; 24. Dehart 16:30; 42. Tipton 16:56; 45. Kerns 16:57; 54. Becker 17:04; 128. Sawyer 18:27)
4. Fairfield 128 (1. Dixon 15:50; 30. Showman 16:42; 31. Stone 16:44; 44. Trennepohl 16:57; 50. Evans 16:59; 59. Web 17:13; 86. Showman 17:31)
5. Moeller 133 (17. Sharp 16:22; 22. Beuerlein 16:29; 26. Witte 16:32; 40. Babiak 16:55; 55. Hook 17:05; 66. Flaig 17:18; 77. Frost 17:26)
6. Sycamore 176, 7. Beavercreek 228, 8. Dayton Carroll 230, 9. Colerain 267, 10. Kings 285.

Individual Qualifiers: 2. Neumann (Sycamore) 16:02; 11. Swartz (Lakota East) 16:15; 15. Frey (Elder) 16:21; 16. Matheus (Kings) 16:21; 20. Kellerman (McNicholas) 16:25.

10.26.2002

State <details>
(3.1 miles at Scioto Downs)

Team Standings: 1, Hilliard Davidson 87; 2, La Salle 104; 3, St. Xavier 145; 4, Lakewood 160; 5, Fairfield 178; 6, Wooster 180; 7, Middletown, 187; 8, Strongsville 194; 9, Pickerington 203; 10, Elyria 237; 11, Reynoldsburg 241; 12, Tol. St. John's 257; 12, (tie) Can. Glenoak 257; 14, Moeller 267; 15, Mentor 267; 16, Copley 397.

Top Finishers: 1. Wesley Smith, Sr., Hudson 15:15; 2, Chris Koller, Sr., Strongsville 15:20; 3, Aaron Arlinghaus, Sr., N. Olmsted 15:31; 4, John Dixon, Sr., Fairfield 15:40; 5, John Ealy, Jr., Reynoldsburg 15:45; 6, Christian Nichols, Sr., Hilliard Davidson 15:50; 7, Jason Beck, Sr., La Salle 15:53; 8, Larry Gardner, Sr., Carrollton 15:53; 9, Kyle Kowalski, Sr., St. Xavier 15:53; 10, Alan Burkitt, Sr., Hilliard Davidson 15:55.