Returning BCR Runners of the year lead Hall harriers
SPRING VALLEY — Coach Tom Keegan’s Red Devil and Lady Devil cross country squads both have similar makeups this fall.
With the Hall harriers returning both 2009 BCR Cross Country Runners of the Year, senior Scott Janusick and junior Elizabeth Mosbach, each team has a standout competitor to lead it.
And while they have a pair of proven commodities that can be counted on for big contributions, success for both of Hall cross country teams will hinge on Janusick’s and Mosbach’s supporting cast.
Janusick, who has claimed BCR Runner of the Year honors the past three seasons, placed 14th at the state race last fall, and added state medals in both the mile and two-mile in track this spring.
Keegan said his senior standout has high expectations for his senior campaign.
“I know he probably at least wants to get in the top 10 at state, and be competitive in all those invites over the course of the season,” Keegan said, adding that Janusick had grown into a leadership role on the team.
“He’s made progressions in that. Freshman year he said maybe two words. He’s showing some leadership this year. He’s working hard to put himself in a position to succeed, but he’s also trying to bring some other guys along with him.”
Joining Janusick for the Hall boys’ squad is fellow senior Brett Herrmann, who is projected to be the Red Devil’s No. 2 runner.
“He’s one of those kids that realizes it’s his last go-around, being a senior. He’s looked real good here in the preseason,” said Keegan.
With junior Nathaniel Kingry, senior Juan Vera, as well as sophomores Brandon Allen and Joseph Parochetti all battling for the 3-5 spots, Keegan said the key to success for the boys’ squad will be running as a pack.
“Those guys right there, hopefully, they can kind of be packed up and improve their times a little bit from last year,” said Keegan. “That’s probably going to dictate our team success right there.
“We want to narrow that gap from number one to numbers two, three, four and five all the way down. And they’ve been working hard to get to that point.”
Keegan said expectations will also be high for Mosbach, the two-time defending BCR Runner of the Year, who highlighted her versatility and athleticism with a third-place state finish in the 400 this spring in track.
“She’s coming off kind of a break-through season. I think in terms of track, she had some great success there. If you look at her, she’s got a natural kick, she looked great on the track doing the shorter sprint type races,” Keegan said.
“I’m sure everybody’s expecting her to do well. What she’s got to focus on is going out and not worrying about the expectations everybody else has, and perform to the best of her ability. That’s what I’d like to see her do this year.”
Joining Mosbach on the Lady Devils roster is returning senior Xuxa Piotrowski, juniors Christina Acamovic and Amber Huffaker as well as sophomores Katie Hoffert and Jacquie Wallaert, a new addition to the squad.
“It’s probably about the same thing as the boys,” said Keegan of his girls’ team makeup. “I think Elizabeth is maybe a little bit ahead of the game where everybody else is. We’re just going to look for those other girls to try to bunch up as much as possible as the season goes along.”
Keegan said that both his teams are ready to kick off the season Tuesday at Baker Lake against L-P.
“We’re pretty excited over here, it’s just a natural feeling. Everybody gets back to school and they’re ready to get started,” Keegan said. “We’ve had some kids who have done some nice work over the summer, some kids that are ready to go.
“They’re ready to go out and have a race, instead of just seeing their own teammates time-and-time again,” Keegan said.
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