Cross CountryThe highly successful Hopewell Valley Central High School cross country teams will be off and running again on Sept. 15.
By: Steve Feitl
Both the boys and girls teams will compete in the Cherokee Invitational at Cherokee High School on that Saturday morning.
Last year, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs had equally impressive showings during the fall season. The girls were undefeated with a 14-0 record, while the boys suffered just one blemish with their 13-1 mark.
However, both squads lost talented runners from their lineups due to graduation. Gone from the girls roster are Whitney McNees and Jackie Muscente, while the boys have lost Mike Seiler, Alex Hannay and Kierran Sutherland.
While both squads had a lot of success last season, coach Aaron Oldfield has different goals for the teams in 2001.
For the girls, the plan is simple: remain a state presence in the cross country world.
Carrying that load will be a talented squad that includes Natalie Jones, Kate Willever and Sarah Seiler.
"We’re looking to continue to be one of the leaders in the state," Oldfield said of the girls squad. "We want to win championships and be competing at the Meet of Champions at end of the season."
The boys will be led by Joe Davidson, Kent Long and Derek Jablonski, according to Oldfield.
The Bulldogs’ goal is to capture the Valley title in the Colonial Valley Conference, Oldfield said.
But more than anything, the boys and girls that make up the cross country squads are just looking forward to competing with the best teams in the state again.
"The kids are raring to go," Oldfield said. "They’ve been preparing for this since mid-July. They’re eager to get out there."
Come Sept. 15, the wait will be over.

