BISHOP EUSTACE CRUSADERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Eric Franklin was a first-team all-conference choice. Sophomores D’vonne Trumbo and Alex Hull provided their best performances toward the end of the year. Other returning veterans are junior Alex Stelmaski and seniors Burch Martin, Zach Beauchmin, Joe Meloni, Brandon Lim and Steve Jaworski.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Paul VI. Coach Matt Ciociola’s Crusaders are the favorite to defend their division title, but the Eagles should provide plenty of competition.
OUTLOOK: The Crusaders are division champs, as well as sectional and state title-holders. Despite graduating five strong runners, it will be difficult to relieve this team of all three titles.
CAMDEN CATHOLIC FIGHTING IRISH
PLAYERS TO WATCH: This is still a young team, evidenced by the fact that sophomores Kyle Kirk and Collin Pierlott are expected to be the Irish’s top two runners. Other key veterans back include juniors Steve Graham, Nick Turner, Connor Oberle and Will McHugh and senior Ryan Olivares. A newcomer to watch is freshman Tim Slack.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Bishop Eustace is considered a formidable opponent in the Olympic National Division while Paul VI is a perennial contender.
OUTLOOK: The Irish may not have the depth to contend for the division title, but another 4-2 season is very possible for coach Dennis Quinn’s team.
CHEROKEE CHIEFS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Aiden Lynch was a first-team all-Olympic American choice. Seniors Billy Hornung and Matt Venanzi were second-team all-conference choices. Both are also coming off strong spring seasons. Key returning letter winners are senior Jeremy Morgan and junior Matt Decker. A newcomer to watch is junior Shawn Wilson, a former soccer player who was fifth in the South Jersey Group 4 outdoor track championships in the 1,600 meters.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Lenape is the defending division champion and will be difficult to unseat, but Cherokee will be a serious contender.
OUTLOOK: Cherokee won 13 straight division championships before last season, and will make a run at another streak.
CHERRY HILL EAST COUGARS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Zach Iannarelli was the Cougars’ No. 1 runner last year. Senior D.J. Rodriguez was among the Cougars’ top five runners and enjoyed a strong spring, finishing seventh at the South Jersey Group 4 championships in the 3,200 meter. Among the returning letter winners are junior Mike Minion and seniors Ben Helfand, Tyler Russ and Russell Beatty. Sophomores Ben Dillon and Jared Dashevsky are newcomers who add depth to the program.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Lenape and Cherokee remain the most formidable competition in the Olympic Conference American Division.
OUTLOOK: Cherry Hill East was third in the division last season and the key for a repeat performance is having some of the seniors behind Inannarelli step up.
CHERRY HILL WEST LIONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Peter Skryzalin was a first-team all-conference runner and a state meet qualifier. Sophomores Tyler Brake and Anthony Verme were No. 2 and 3 respectively on the team last year. Key senior veterans include Joe Seaman, Brett Van Dyke and Qoucela Marniche.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: In the Olympic Conference there is no shortage of competition: Shawnee is the clear favorite in the Olympic Conference Patriot Division.
OUTLOOK: It will hurt that West lost sophomore Nick Boensch, a key runner last year who has moved to Texas. This is a young team, with a junior and two sophomores in the top three, but the Lions were competitive last year and should remain so this season.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC RAMS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Zack Samuels and sophomore Andreas Logothetis were all-conference selections. Other veteran runners include seniors Jamie DeFrancesco, Matt Buddle, Andrew Meehan, Kieran Milliken and Louis Tassi. Returning juniors are Miguel Orlina, Sean Heath, Jacob Barger and Sam Keller, while Billy Simila is a key member from the sophomore class.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Take your pick. Pennsville, Penns Grove, Woodstown and Schalick all have solid teams.
OUTLOOK: The Rams have lost just one of their top seven runners to graduation, so this team should continue to improve and be competitive with anybody in the division.
HADDONFIELD BULLDOGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Greg Halla is a top runner returning to the Bulldogs this season. Senior Miles Devine is coming off a strong spring track season. The rest of the team is relatively inexperienced, but that doesn’t mean the Bulldogs will be behind. Among those looking to crack the lineup are Alex Gigliotti, sophomore Patrick Shea, junior Robert Speath and sophomores John Greenberg, Chris Ehrhards and Matt Stewart.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Haddon Heights will be a tough competitor in the Colonial Division, though Haddonfield remains the favorite.
OUTLOOK: This is one of coach Nick Baker’s most inexperienced teams. But Haddonfield has won five straight state titles and could be a contender for another state crown.
LENAPE INDIANS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: This is a relatively young team, led by seniors Sean Mulroy and Anthony Dennis. Mulroy was the Indians No. 1 runner last year, and Dennis is expected to be among the team’s top runners this fall. Other returning runners include sophomoree Julian Greco, and juniors Mike Estrin and Mike Dannenfelser.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Lenape is the defending Olympic American champion, but has to fill holes due to graduation. Cherokee should provide the main competition in the division.
OUTLOOK: The Indians will remain highly competitive, but the success depends on how some of the younger runners develop.
MOORESTOWN QUAKERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Just two of last year’s top seven return: senior Jack Inglis and sophomore Kevin Horton. Among the other key performers are seniors Jack Spirgel, Mitch Cain, Basle Laverty, Evan Nece and Dan Sheehan, and juniors Luke Howard and Will Van Fossen. Joe Inglis and Reed Kramer join Horton as members of a talented sophomore class.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Things look wide open in the Burlington County Liberty Division, although Northern Burlington is expected to mount a challenge. In South Jersey Group 3, Ocean City is a team to watch.
OUTLOOK : The Quakers are expected to take a step back, but still be highly competitive. This is the defending division champion—and, despite graduating five of the top seven runners, there are 65 athletes on this season’s roster.
MOORESTOWN FRIENDS FOXES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seniors Steve Dwyer, Mike Cunningham, sophomore Coles Driscoll, senior Ted Barrett and junior Alex Howard are the top five scorers from last year. Other returning runners are senior Jarret Berkowitz, junior Spencer Bard and sophomore Joe Mulholland. Newcomers include junior Randy Love, sophomore Dan Van Deerlin and freshmen Thomas Heitzman and Adam Mohsen-Breen.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Defending champion Germantown Friends is the favorite in the league.
OUTLOOK: Moorestown Friends should remain among the top teams in the Friends League. With strong teams such as Friends Central and Westtown, in addition to Germantown Friends, Moorestown Friends would do well to finish second in this competitive league.
PAUL VI EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Neil MacFarlane was an all-conference performer. Returning letter winners include senior Chris Booth, juniors Dan Marino and Michael Patterson, and sophomores Matt Gentek and George Balzer. Adam Verna and Peter Gallagher also return to the team.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Bishop Eustace is the defending Olympic National champion and this year’s favorite, but Paul VI will pose a challenge.
OUTLOOK : This is a young team, but one with promise. MacFarlane appears poised for a breakout season as the Eagles continue to show they are among the better programs in South Jersey.
SENECA GOLDEN EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Kevin Yeamans and juniors Ed Bohi and Ryan Schubert are a solid trio, each with the ability to be the team’s No. 1 runner. Other returning athletes include seniors Andy Onorato, Dan Connelly and Phil Zimmerman. Senior Brian Hotz, who ran his first two years but not last season, returns after solid winter and spring track seasons. Sophomore Alec McIntire is another newcomer to watch.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Shawnee remains the team to beat in the Olympic Conference Patriot Division.
OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles must replace several key graduates. Look for greater improvement over the second half of the season.
SHAWNEE RENEGADES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seniors Connor Herr and Peter Murray previously earned all-South Jersey and all-conference honors. Herr missed the spring track season due to injury and Murray missed time as well, so both are looking to return well rested and healthy. Other key veterans include seniors Ben Lampe and Jack Gilligan, juniors Matt O’Rorke, Dan McDevitt and Jon Malpass, and sophomore Brendan Tecce.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: No one in the division. The Renegades are clearly the team to beat.
OUTLOOK: It all comes down to health. If Herr and Murray are healthy, opponents would be hard-pressed to find a more daunting one-two tandem. If that is the case, the Shawnee will be a contender not only for the division, but for sectional and state titles as well.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP MINUTEMEN
PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Minutemen lost their top two runners, Anthony Dentino, now at Rider and Dan Gresh, competing for Elizabethtown. Seniors George Dwyer and James Furtaw lead the returning group of veterans.
BIGGEST COMPETITION: Cherokee looks like the team to beat in the Olympic Conference American Division although defending champion Lenape poses formidable competition.
OUTLOOK: After losing the two runners, the Minutemen expect to be competitive but may take a slight step back, especially against the difficult teams Washington Township faces.
2011 BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULES
BISHOP EUSTACE CRUSADERS
9/13 at Batch Meet, 4 p.m.
9/17 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.
9/20 at Batch Meet, 5 p.m.
9/27 at Batch Meet at GCC, 5 p.m.
10/5 at National Division Boys, 5 p.m.
10/15 at Camden County Meet at GCC, 2:30 p.m.
CAMDEN CATHOLIC FIGHTING IRISH
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 p.m.
9/13 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
9/17 at SJ Shootout at GCC, 8:30 a.m.
9/20 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
9/24 at Challenge Cup at Holy Cross, 8:30 a.m.
9/27 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/5 at Divisional Race at GCC, 5 p.m.
10/8 at SJTCA Champs at Delsea, 12 p.m.
10/15 at Camden County Meet at GCC, 1 p.m.
10/17 at SJ Frosh/Soph Meet at GCC, 3:45 p.m.
10/21 at Olympic Meet at GCC, 3 p.m.
11/5 at NJSIAA Sectionals at Delsea, 10 a.m.
11/12 at NJSIAA Groups at Holmdel, 10 a.m.
11/19 Meet of Champions at Holmdel, 11 a.m.
CHEROKEE CHIEFS
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge, 9 p.m.
9/13 at Batch Meet at GCC, 3:45 p.m.
9/17 at SJ Shootout at GCC, 9:00 a.m.
9/20 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4:10 p.m.
9/27 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4:10 p.m.
10/1 at Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park, 1:40 p.m.
10/4 at Olympic Conference American Division Championship at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/8 at Walt Disney Invitational at Orlando, Florida
10/14 at Burlington County Open at Mill Creek Park, 3:30 p.m.
10/21 at Olympic Conference at GCC, 3 p.m.
10/27 at Haddonfield Invitational at Pennypacker Park, 4 p.m.
11/2 at NJ State Frosh/Soph Championship at Thomson Park, 2:30 p.m.
11/5 at SJ Group IV Sectionals at Delsea
11/12 at Group IV Championship at Holmdel Park
11/19 Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, 10:40 a.m.
CHERRY HILL EAST COUGARS
9/13 at Batch Meet, 4 p.m.
9/17 at Cherokee Challenge at Cherokee
9/20 at Batch Meet, 4 p.m.
9/24 at SJ Shootout at GCC, 8:30 a.m.
9/27 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park, 9 a.m.
10/4 at Olympic Conference at GCC, 5 p.m.
10/8 at SJTCA Championships at Delsea, 12 p.m.
10/15 at Camden County Meet at GCC
10/21 at Olympic Conference Meet at GCC
10/26 at Haddonfield Soph/Frosh Meet
11/5 at NJSIAA Sectional at Delsea
11/11 at NJSIAA Group Meet at Holmdel Park
11/19 at NJSIAA Meet of Champs at Holmdel Park
CHERRY HILL WEST LIONS
9/13 at Batch Meet, 4 p.m.
9/17 at SJ Shootout at GCC, 8:30 a.m.
9/20 at Batch Meet, 4 p.m.
9/27 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/4 at Olympic Conference at GCC, 5 p.m.
10/8 at SJTCA Championships at Delsea, 12 p.m.
10/15 at Camden County Meet at GCC
10/21 at Olympic Conference at GCC
11/5 at NJSIAA Sectional at Delsea
11/12 at NJSIAA Group Meet at Holmdel Park
11/19 at NJSIAA Meet of Champs at Holmdel Park
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC RAMS
9/9 at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge
9/13 vs. Arthur P. Schalick at Haddon Lake Park, 4 p.m.
9/17 at SJ Shootout at GCC, 8:30 a.m.
9/20 vs. GCIT at Haddon Lake Park, 4 p.m.
9/27 at Gloucester City, 4 p.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park, 9 a.m.
10/4 vs. Deptford Township, 4 p.m.
10/8 at SJTCA Championships at Delsea, 12 p.m.
10/11 at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
10/27 at TCC Meet at Cumberland, 3:45 p.m.
HADDONFIELD BULLDOGS
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge, 5 p.m.
9/13 vs. Haddon Township, 4 p.m.
9/13 vs. Sterling, 4 p.m.
9/17 at Bellont Plateau, 8 a.m.
9/20 vs. Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
9/20 vs. Collingswood, 4 p.m.
9/20 vs. Audubon, 4 p.m.
9/24 at Belmont Plateau, 8 a.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park, 9 a.m.
10/4 at Gateway Regional, 4 p.m.
10/4 at Paulsboro, 4 p.m.
10/11 vs. Overbrook, 4 p.m.
10/11 vs. Lindenwold, 4 p.m.
10/11 vs. West Deptford, 4 p.m.
10/15 at Clinton Seiden Memorial XC Festival, 11 a.m.
10/17 at Fresh/Soph/MS Meet at GCC, 3:45 p.m.
10/20 vs. Colonial Conference All-Star Meet, 4 p.m.
11/5 at NJSIAA Sectionals at Delsea, 10 a.m.
11/12 at NJSIAA States at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
11/19 at NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
LENAPE INDIANS
9/13 at Batch Meet, 5 p.m.
9/17 at Briarwood Invitational
9/20 at Batch Meet, 5 p.m.
9/27 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/4 at American Division Boys at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/14 at Burlington County Open
10/21 at Olympic Conference at GCC
10/26 at Haddonfield Fresh/Soph Meet
11/5 at NJSIAA Sectional at Delsea, 10 a.m.
11/12 at NJSIAA Group at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
11/19 at NJSIAA Meet of Champs at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
MOORESTOWN QUAKERS
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge, 5 p.m
9/10 at Batch Meet, 3:45 p.m.
9/17 at SJ Shootout, 9 a.m.
9/17 at Batch Meet, 3:45 p.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park, 9 a.m.
10/8 at SJTCA Championships at Delsea, 12 p.m.
10/14 at Burlington County Open, 4:05 p.m.
10/17 at SJ Fresh/Soph Meet at GCC, 4:20 p.m.
11/5 at NJSIAA at Delsea, 10 a.m.
11/12 at State Championship at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
11/19 at Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
MOORESTOWN FRIENDS
9/7 vs. St. Joseph’s, Hammonton and Medford Tech, 4 p.m.
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge, 5 p.m
9/15 vs. Maple Shade, Palmyra and Westampton Tech, 3:45 p.m.
9/20 at Abington Friends, 4 p.m.
9/24 at Holy Cross Challenge
9/27 vs. Shipley, 4 p.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
10/4 vs. Friends Select and Westtown, 4 p.m.
10/11 at Germantown Friends, 4 p.m.
10/14 at Mill Creek Park Burlington County Open
10/18 at Belmont FSL Championship
11/5 at South Jersey Sectionals at Delsea, 10 a.m.
11/12 at State Championship at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
11/19 at Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
PAUL VI EAGLES
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge at Cherokee
9/13 at Batch Meet at GCC, 5 p.m.
9/17 at Briarwood Invitational
9/20 at Batch Meet at GCC, 5 p.m.
9/24 at Carlisle Invitational at Carlisle
9/27 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Invitational at Homldel
10/5 at Olympic National Division Championship at GCC, 5 p.m.
10/8 at South Jersey Open at Delsea
10/15 at Holmdel
10/21 at Olympic Conference Championship at GCC, 3:30 p.m.
10/26 at Haddonfield at Pennypacker Park
11/5 at South Jersey Parochials at Delsea
11/12 at NJSIAA State Meet at Holmdel
11/19 at NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Holmdel
SENECA GOLDEN EAGLES
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge at Cherokee
9/13 at Batch Meet at GCC, 3:45 p.m.
9/20 at Batch Meet, GCC, 3:45 p.m.
9/24 at Batch Meet, GCC, 4:10 p.m.
9/27 at GCC, 4:10 p.m.
10/2 at Holmdel Park
10/4 at GCC, 5 p.m.
10/9 at Delsea
10/14 at Mill Creek Park
10/17 at GCC
10/21 at GCC, 3:30 p.m.
10/26 at Pennypacker Park
11/5 at Delsea
11/12 at Holmdel Park
11/19 at Holmdel Park
SHAWNEE RENEGADES
9/10 at Cherokee Challenge, 5 p.m.
9/13 at Division Meet, 5 p.m.
9/17 at SJXC Shootout, 8:30 a.m.
9/20 at Division Meet, 5 p.m.
9/27 at Division Meet, 4 p.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park, 9 a.m.
10/4 at Olympic Conference Division Championship at GCC, 5 p.m.
10/8 at SJTCA Championships at Delsea, 12 p.m.
10/14 at Burlington County Open, 3:30 p.m.
10/17 at SJTCA Fresh/Soph at GCC, 3:45 p.m.
10/21 at Olympic Conference Championships at GCC, 3:30 p.m.
10/25 at Burlington County Fresh/Soph, 3:45 p.m.
11/5 at NJSIAA Sectionals at Delsea, 10 a.m.
11/12 at NJSIAA States at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
11/19 at NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, 10 a.m.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP MINUTEMEN
9/ 10 at Cherokee Challenge, 5 p.m.
9/13 vs. Haddon Township, 4 p.m.
9/20 Batch Meet at GCC, 5 p.m.
9/25 South Jersey Shootout at GCC, 5 p.m.
9/27 Olympic at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/1 at Shore Coaches Meet at Holmdel Park, 9 a.m.
10/4 at Batch Meet at GCC, 4 p.m.
10/8 vs. South Jersey Open at Delsea
10/15 vs. Gloucester Country Championship
10/17 at Frosh/Soph/MS Meet, 3:45 p.m.
10/21 vs. Olympic Conference All-Star Meet, 4 p.m.
11/5 at NJSIAA Sectionals, 10 a.m.
11/12 at NJSIAA States, 10 a.m.
11/19 at NJSIAA Meet of Champions, 10 a.m.
Photo: Senior Peter Murray, a 3,200-meter runner, returns to Shawnee's Cross Country Team.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family’s High School Fall Sports Preview, August, 2011.
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