Coolidge to lead EC’s boys cross country team
Paul Heyse | The Chronicle-Telegram
Elyria Catholic’s Marty Coolidge dabbled with a variety of sports at an early age, but recognized even back then that his sport of choice was distance running.
The sophomore stands 6-foot-3 — three inches taller than a year ago — and weighs in at 138 pounds. He is Lorain County’s version of former world record-holder Jim Ryun — short torso and long legs.
Long and very, very fast legs.
Coolidge was 10th at the 2007 Division II state cross country meet in 16 minutes, 8.26 seconds — his personal record. Last spring, he took second at the Division II state track meet in the 3,200 meters with a time of 9:24.62.
“We’ve recognized that Marty’s got exceptional talent,” said Panthers coach Chuck Lynch. “Due to his frame, we’ve brought him along slowly. We didn’t want to be constrained along the course of his four years with any injury bugs.
“This year we’re concentrating on a lot of core work, strengthening as part of his conditioning. We keep him training on grassy surfaces. It’s a lot of things geared towards injury prevention.”
Coolidge is the EC boys’ first all-state cross country runner (top 25) since 2001 when Chris Hoban finished 22nd. It’s the first time an EC boy cracked the top 10 since 1983 when Tim Mackert finished third (15:53). Last year’s Elyria district champ (16:56), Coolidge is EC’s first district winner since Aaron Mack in 1999.
“We’re really looking at the big picture,” said Lynch. “He does that well. He focuses on and pictures where he needs to be and does a very good job with that. We’re not really hung up on that race or this person.”
Coolidge wants to bring his team along for the ride.
“This year we’ve had a huge turnout. Everyone is motivated,” said Coolidge, the 2007 Lorain County Division II-III MVP. “We have as good a shot as anyone in terms of making it to state. The workouts have been going well. I’m feeling strong. I expect things to go a lot better than last year.”
Six of the top seven are back for the Panthers, who aim for their third straight regional ticket and first state berth since 2001.
Contact Paul Heyse at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.
Teams to watch
Bay: Six of last year’s top seven back from regional title team that finished 11th at state.
Elyria Catholic: The Panthers return six of their top seven, led by Coolidge.
Avon Lake: Won SWC Preview with all underclassman squad.
Runners to watch
Marty Coolidge, EC: 10th at the state meet. Helped Panthers to regionals for second year in a row.
Mike Brajdic, Bay: All-Ohio. Led Rockets to state berth.
Nate Rodriguez, Vermilion: Division II state qualifier. All-Ohio in track.
Dan Bullard, North Olmsted: Won SWC Preview. Two-time regional qualifier
Matt Link, Avon Lake: All-SWC. Regional qualifier in 3,200.
Jack St. Marie, Westlake: Triathlete extraordinaire. Regional qualifier.
Kyle Lowry, Amherst: Missed entire track season, but ran sub-17 at Earlybird.
Meets to watch
40th annual Tiffin Distance Carnival (Saturday)
Teams with serious state meet aspirations never miss this one.
43rd annual Southwestern Conference meet (Oct. 11)
State-ranked Brecksville should ne very, very tough to unseat as defending champ.
Hot topics
Hall of fame
Head cross country coaches along with county head track coaches look to recognize Lorain County’s inaugural class in the near future.
Conference collision
The Southwestern, West Shore and Patriot Athletic conferences all have their meets on the morning of Oct. 11. Last year, the WSC was held the Saturday before the other two. The PAC was on a Saturday morning and the SWC on Saturday afternoon.
Super underclassmen
Elyria Catholic junior Marty Coolidge and Bay sophomore Mike Brajdic had three epic postseason faceoffs in 2007. Coolidge won all three matchups between the pair, but triumphed in the last two by a combined 1.54 seconds. Stay tuned.
Team capsules
Northeast Ohio Conference
Elyria Pioneers
COACH: Deryl Nalle, fourth year
2007 RECORDS: 4th place NOC River Division, 11th place Elyria District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 8
TOP PLAYERS: Ben Baptiste, jr.; Ryan Engle, fr.; Brian Maddock, so.; James Marks, jr.; Michael Marvin, jr.; Keith Novarese, jr.; Tyler Powell, fr.; Taylor Sabo, so.; Jaydel Santo Domingo, so.; Josh Tayler, jr.; Ian Ward, jr.
SCOUTING REPORT: No seniors, no problem. This squad expects to be much improved. The goal is to get the majority of the varsity in the 17-minute range.
North Coast League
Elyria Catholic Panthers
COACH: Chuck Lynch, 23rd year, 33rd overall
2007 RECORDS: 2nd place NCL White Division, 4th place Elyria District (Division II), 9th place Tiffin Regional
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 12
TOP PLAYERS: Connor Budi, fr.; Marty Coolidge, jr.; Evan Foreman, jr.; Patrick Foreman, so.; Zak Gundlach, fr.; Jared King, fr.; Brian Koziel, so.; Dan Kuhman, so.; Jacob Linden, so.; Ryan Lynch, so.; Mark Mowcomber, sr.; Dustin Myles, fr.; Matt Pierce, jr.; Tom Radachi, sr.; Will Sellers, sr.; Bryce Steindl, jr.; Matt Wiehe, so.
SCOUTING REPORT: Six of the top seven back from the 2007 regional-qualifying team. Kuhman and Steindl joined Coolidge on last year’s all-county team.
Southwestern Conference
Amherst Comets
COACH: Scott Snyder, 12th year
2007 RECORD: 2nd place SWC, 3rd place Elyria District (Division I), 8th place Tiffin Regional
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 6
TOP PLAYERS: Nick Bonominio, sr.; James Elevich, sr.; Nick Flock, sr.; Gary Haglund, sr.; Peter Hause, sr.; Kevn Klekota, sr.; Tyler Kosik, sr.; Kyle Lowry, sr.; Adam Mellen, sr.; Ryan Morris, sr.; Matt Petek, sr.; Miles Pittak, so.
SCOUTING REPORT: Team health is the No. 1 issue. Haglund (tibia tendinitis) and Lowry (two stress fractures, foot) missed the entire track season. Lowry’s back in the lineup. The pain refuses to clear up for Haglund, the 2007 Division I county MVP. Haglund was 18th at the Tiffin regional in a career-record 16:13.13. On the plus side, 10 returning athletes ran 17:58 or better last season.
Avon Lake Shoremen
COACH: Rob Juergens, 11th year
2007 RECORDS: 5th place SWC, 7th place Elyria District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 8
TOP PLAYERS: Jimmy Adams, jr.; Spencer Dolezal, jr.; Justin Housley, so.; Matt Link, jr.; Brent Milbaugh, jr.; Cole Musial, sr.; Connor Musial, fr.; Trevor Norris, fr.; Mike Ohradzansky, so.; Mike Parsons, so.; Billy Tayek, jr.; Ryan Till, so.; Kyle White, jr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Young team but underclassmen have performed very solid, for the most part. Adams, Housley and Link were 2007 all-county second team. Link was second at the SWC Preview and in track for the 3,200.
Berea Braves
COACH: Carl Wetula, 11th year
2007 RECORDS: 7th place SWC, 8th place Edgewater District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 13
TOP PLAYERS: Pat D’Agostino, so.; John “Bud” Denega, jr.; Joe Dziedziak, jr.; Dan Herwerden, jr.; Ed Holecko, jr.; Eran Karanouth-Schuler, jr.; Nelson Laracuente, so.; Jacob Mcgrath, sr.Tom Nagy, so.; Zach Rofe, so.; Franklin Socha, sr.; Mackenzie Sopko, jr.; Pat Walz, so.; Tom White, jr.; Phil Wolter, sr.
SCOUTING REPORT: A lot of lettermen, but the Braves still have a lot of work to do.
North Olmsted Eagles
COACH: Mike D’Alessandro, 5th year
2007 RECORDS: 4th place SWC, 6th place Elyria District (Division I), 15th Tiffin Regional
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 5
TOP PLAYERS: Josh Allen, sr.; Danny Bullard, sr.; Ryan Kelly, jr.; Jerod Miller, jr.; Jake Stieger, sr.; James Zarycki, sr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Individually, Bullard is a two-time regional qualifier. He ran a personal-record 16:23 at the 2007 Tiffin Carnival. Allen (17:42) and Stieger (17:54) have both eclipsed the 18-minute mark. Miller (18:09) and Kelly (18:17) also ran solid times last year.
Olmsted Falls Bulldogs
COACH: Jeff Kho, 12th year
2007 RECORDS: 6th place SWC, 9th place Elyria District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 6
TOP PLAYERS: Tyler Bokman, jr.; Adam Broski, jr.; Brian Budic, sr.; Grant Budic, so.; Ian Coyle, sr.; Tom Derr, jr.; Joey Pedicini, jr
SCOUTING REPORT: Four of the top seven are back. Despite their overall lack of varsity time, the Bulldogs put in a great summer of consistent work and mileage.
Westlake Demons
COACH: Cindy Bailey, first year (third overall)
2007 RECORDS: 8th place SWC, 10th place Elyria District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 9
TOP PERFORMERS: Erich Beyer, jr.; Max Blessing, sr.; Luke Graber, jr.; Garrett Ielapi, jr.; Conor Kelly, jr.; Andrew Medoro, jr.; Peter Ogonek, so.; Travis Simoncic, sr.; Jack St. Marie, so.
SCOUTING REPORT: St. Marie and Simoncic were the Demons’ No. 1 and 2 runners last year. Blessing and Ogonek were also in the top seven. Bailey returns to varsity coaching for the first time since coaching the Westlake girls in 2001-02.
West Shore Conference
Avon Eagles
COACH: Tara Gruskiewicz, 4th year
ASSISTANT: Matt Nortz
2007 RECORDS: 5th place WSC, 7th place Elyria District (Division II)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 6
TOP PLAYERS: Jacob Betts, fr.; Adam Bevins, jr.; Eric Collins, so.; Tommy Kvach, jr.; Tyler Kvach, so.; Ryan Ladegaard, so.; Drew Lawrence, fr.; Jared Lawrence, jr.; Joe Michelich, jr.; Andy Ventura, sr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Ventura and Tyler Kvach were regional qualifiers last year and should finish in the top five in the WSC. Tommy Kvach and Andy Bevins should be in the next two spots. Bevins switches over from soccer. No. 5 remains a key spot to fill.
Bay Rockets
COACH: Steve Babson, third year
2007 RECORDS: 1st place WSC, 1st place Elyria District (Division II), 1st place Tiffin Regional, 11th state
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 10
TOP PLAYERS: Nick Banks, so.; Mike Brajdic, so.; Jeremy Cottam, so.; C.J. Farnham, jr.; Jeremy Farver, jr.; Adam Figliuzzi, so.; Jordan Hawkins, sr.; Alex Meyers, jr.; Kyle Nickel, sr.; Matt Notarberardino, sr.; Carter Phillips, so.; Jacob Schreibman, jr.; Matt Stone, fr.; Brian Zeuch, jr.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Rockets return five runners from last year’s state team: Brajdic, Farver, Hawkins, Nickel and Notarberardino. Banks looks to be the top replacement for the lone senior that graduated. Meyers and Sharp also are challenging for varsity time.
Firelands Falcons
COACH: Bob Donelson, fifth year
ASSISTANTS: Greg Northeim, Julene Woods
2007 RECORDS: 4th place WSC, 5th place Elyria District (Division II)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 6
TOP PLAYERS: Kane Carrier, jr.; Dalton Edwards, jr.; Jordan Hunt, jr.; Nicholas Jeffers, sr.; Seth Jeffers, fr.; Kyle Nimon, sr.; Nick Placko, jr.; Logan Rathge, fr.; Preston Rathge, jr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Jeffers was All-WSC first team (7th) and finished 32nd at regionals. He’s rebounded from some track injuries. Preston Rathge was honorable mention All-WSC (18th). Nimon was consistently the team’s
No. 2 man and Placko returns in the No. 4 spot. A 2006 regional qualifier, senior Cory LaMar has opted to sit out the season to recover from a leg injury in track.
Midview Middies
COACH: Lynn Magyar, first year
2007 RECORDS: 6th place WSC, 12th place Elyria District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 4
TOP PLAYERS: Justin Caithaml, jr.; Jeremy Caradang, so.; Eric Gibbons, jr.; Andy Jaskowiak, jr.; Jordan Klamut, so.; Nick Miller, sr.; D.J. Saylor, sr.
SCOUTING REPORT: A former Padua and
B-W runner, Magyar served as head girls track for Midview Middle School the past three years. She also coached middle school cross country in 2007. Jaskowiak and Miller were WSC honorable mention.
North Ridgeville Rangers
COACH: Kevin Drapcho, sixth year
2007 RECORDS: 7th place WSC, 15th place Elyria District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 7
TOP PLAYERS: Alex Kellar, jr.; Alex Larsick, so.; Rob Michael, so. Todd Morris, so.; Dave Mytnick, so.; Josh Winkleman, sr.; Joe Yost, so.
SCOUTING REPORT: Winkleman (39th), Michael (42nd) and Kellar (43rd) are the top returnees from last year’s conference meet. The Rangers have six first-year runners who also will, hopefully, step up and help out.
Vermilion Sailors
COACH: Todd Lawson, fourth year
ASSISTANT: Jim Klein
2007 RECORDS: 2nd place WSC, 6th place Elyria District (Division II)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 8
TOP PLAYERS: Chris Bacisin, sr.; Scott Burger, jr.; Todd Hathaway, sr.; Cory James, jr.; Addam Kitchen, so.; Eric Martin, jr.; Danny Nicoll, sr.; Nathan Rodriguez, sr.; Andrew Squires, sr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez is a returning state qualifier (59th). He was All-Ohio in track this spring for the 800 (8th). Hathaway had a solid track season after missing most of last fall with a foot injury. Burger ran 17:49 at the 2007 Tiffin Carnival, but struggled with an injury the rest of the season.
Patriot Athletic Conference
Black River Pirates
COACH: Adam Laskos, first year (second overall)
ASSISTANT: Andy Bratcher
2007 RECORDS: 1st place PAC, 2nd place Elyria District (Division II), 15th place Tiffin Regional
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 4
TOP PLAYERS: Jacob Banasck, sr.; Joe Diley, fr.; Adam Garrison, so.; Brett Gentile, sr.; Derrick Hauff, so.; Jon Hokes, sr.; Chris Kleinhenz, jr.; Jay Lucas, so.; Jared McFadden, so.; Joe Randolph, sr.; Matt Ross, so.; Tom Ziebro, fr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Ross (10th) was the Pirates’ No. 5 runner at conference and is the top returnee, earning second-team All-PAC honors. Lucas, Randolph and Hokes also finished in the top seven for the varsity. Last year, the Pirates won their first conference title since 1987 and qualified to regionals for the second year in a row. An assistant coach last year, Laskos takes over the coaching reins from Eric Yetter, who became the Pirates’ athletic director.
Brookside Cardinals
CO-COACHES: Scott Graham, seventh year and Tom Fries, fourth year
2007 RECORDS: 7th PAC, 14th place Elyria District (Division II)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 2
TOP PLAYERS: Eric Bradley, sr.; Zach Bradley, fr.; Luke Jeske, fr.; Michael Kolonick, so.; Taylor Neigh, fr.; Mike Pritt, sr.; Keegan Radeff, fr.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Cards graduated their No. 1 runner from the past two years, but hope to rebound with the help of its incoming freshmen.
Clearview Clippers
COACH: Jason Steadman, second year
2007 RECORDS: 3rd place PAC, 10th place Elyria District (Div. II)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 4
TOP PLAYERS: Kyle Baughman, jr.; Seth Caldwell, fr.; Gabriel Cruz, jr.; Kyle Lindsey, sr.; Adam Matos, so.; Matt Musik, jr.; Jimmy Sanchez, so.; Robbie Schmidt, sr.; Angel Senquiz, sr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Senquiz was 2007
All-PAC first team (3rd) and is a two-time regional qualifier. Schmidt (15th) and Cruz (16th) were honorable mention All-PAC. Matos was also varsity last year.
Columbia Raiders
COACH: Dan Danilovec, fifth year (seventh overall)
2007 RECORDS: 8th place PAC, incomplete team at Edgewater District (Div. III)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 5
TOP PLAYERS: Brian Coyne, so.; Ricky Kugler, sr.; Jakub Lech, sr.; Ricky Wake, sr.; Forrest Wright, so.
SCOUTING REPORT: Lech (23rd) and Coyne (44th) are the top runners back from last year’s conference meet. The Raiders attempt to turn things up a notch as they gain experience.
Keystone Wildcats
COACH: Jeff Holzhauer, seventh year (ninth overall)
2007 RECORDS: 6th place PAC, incomplete team at districts
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 0
TOP PLAYERS: Kevin Arsenijevic, so.; Stephen Elder, fr.; Bryan Fox, fr.; Chris French, fr.; Brian Spangler, fr.; William Spangler, fr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Very young and inexperienced.
Lutheran West Longhorns
COACH: Mark Fenske, fifth year
2007 RECORDS: 5th place PAC, 11th place Edgewater District (Division III)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 2
TOP PLAYERS: Dan Bartz, jr.; Mat Duran, so.; Mike Giguere, sr.; Zach Katanik, fr.; Ty Kujawa, jr.; Ryan Rusnak, fr.
SCOUTING REPORT: The ’Horns’ lost five of last year’s top seven. Team rebuilds with the help of seven freshmen.
Wellington Dukes
COACH: Megan Kauffman, third year
2007 RECORDS: 4th place PAC, 12th place Elyria District (Division II)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 4
TOP PLAYERS: Ryan Bliss, so.; Jarrod Brown, so.; Joey Comfort, sr.; Tom Gaetano, fr.; Will Hall, jr.; Luke Hornbeck, fr.; Ryan Leiby, sr.; Cavan O’Hara, sr.; Dan Parsons, fr.; Colt Wilson, fr.; Devins Woods, so.
SCOUTING REPORT: Comfort was 2007 All-PAC, taking 18th. New additions should make Dukes more competitive.
Lake Erie League
Admiral King Admirals
COACH: Karen Pfeiffer, second year (ninth overall)
ASSISTANT: Mike McConnell
2007 RECORDS: Incomplete team at conference, districts
RETURNING LETTERWINNER: 1
TOP PLAYERS: Kele Harkless, so.; Josh Johnson, so.; Ruben Perez, so.; Adam Sagert, jr.; Anthony Tolley, fr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson is the lone vet. He also lettered in track. A 2008 AK graduate, McConnell is helping with the team. Pfeiffer, who coached track for Longfellow Middle School from 2000-07, is trying to start up a cross country program at Wilson Middle School.
Southview Saints
COACH: Lanny Navarro, third year
2007 RECORDS: 3rd place LEL Erie Division, 16th place Elyria District (Division I)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 4
TOP PLAYERS: Anthony Baxter, sr.; James Burge, so.; Luis Castro, so.; John Findley, fr.; Paul Findley, sr.; James Gyffery, jr.; Narcisco Inchaurregey, so.; Joseph Morales, sr.; Xavier Robinson, fr.; Ruben Soto, so.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Saints hope to move up at least one spot in the LEL. Baxter has looked the best so far. Inchaurregey and Robinson should also challenge for the top three.
Independent
Open Door Patriots
COACH: Steve Wallace, sixth year (17th overall)
2007 RECORDS: 6th place Edgewater District (Division III)
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 6
TOP PLAYERS: Dave Carratola, so.; Jacob Clark, Patrick Elder, sr.; Paul Noble, sr.; Mike Ogle, so.; Dane Zunich, fr.; Neven Zunich, jr.
SCOUTING REPORT: Neven Zunich and Patrick Elder were 2006 regional qualifiers as team members when the Patriots advanced. This season is Wallace’s final as Patriots head cross country coach. He was an assistant in 1988 and has been head coach since 1989. Wallace took two years off in the middle of his tenure to complete his master’s degree. He will continue to help coach varsity track.
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Filed by Paul Heyse | The Chronicle-Telegram September 3rd, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 7% |
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