2009 Men's Cross Country Outlook
“Cavs Challenged to Maintain Winning Tradition”
The Cavs will be challenged to keep their 32-year winning streak alive in 2009. The loss of last year’s top four runners, combined with summer injuries, will make this a challenging year for the young returning runners and the new freshmen. The team participates in the toughest NAIA region and conference (AMC) in the country, with no fewer than three nationally ranked teams, including the two time defending national champion Malone University. Veteran Head Coach Dan McCallion expects the Cavs to improve from week to week, as they search for their top seven and number one runner.
McCallion's biggest challenge will be replacing national qualifiers Brendan McKee and Mike Groholy. The veteran mentor is hoping that senior Matt Long (Mogadore, OH/Field) and juniors Bob Fay (Canton, OH/Central Catholic), Luke Immel (Sugarcreek, OH/Garaway) and Adam Hrdlicka (Lakewood, OH/HS) are ready to except the challenge. All have the experience and dedication, and are hoping to peak at the right time. Dan Bauman (So., Paris, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas) and Dan Opeka (So., Louisville, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas) need to be race ready early and are expected to be in the top seven. Fellow sophomores Phil Kress (Canton, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas) and Nick Reed (Wadsworth, OH/Archbishop Hoban) are returning from early season injuries, and are hoping to repeat the outstanding freshmen seasons. Jordan Johnson (So., Louisville, OH/HS) was probably the biggest surprise of 2008. Johnson earned a varsity spot after never having competed in high school cross country or track.
Brandon Wollenberg (Fr., Massillon, OH/Perry) looks like cream of the crop of the freshman class. A state qualifier for Perry Head Coach and Walsh grad Rob Mizicko, Wollenberg has great strength and toughness, and competed in the state meet last year. Jordan Groubert (Fr., Hartville, OH/Lake) ran for Lake High School Head Coach and Walsh Wall of Famer Jeff Wertman. Groubert's best days are in front of him. He has the body and mind set to be a great college long distance runner. While Chase Harshbarger (Fr., Akron, OH/Archbishop Hoban) and Chris Noussias (Canton, OH/GlenOak) were premier 800m runners in high school, it will take patience and a consistent progression to be competitive 8000m runners at the college level. Kevin Sellers (Fr., Canton, OH/Central Catholic), the top runner for the Crusaders, has demonstrated excellent strength in preseason workouts.
Freshmen Bryan Myers (Hartville, OH/Lake), Caleb Stevenhagen (Manchester, OH/HS), and transfer Ryan Garrott (Georgetown, TX/HS) have the ability to be varsity contributors, when they return from early season injuries.
Walsh opens the season on September 12th, when they host the second annual Ric Sayre Invitational.
