BY; Sean Moylan Sports Writer
This fall, Steve Alustiza has put together one of his best squads in years to mark his silver anniversary as the head coach of the Northern Burlington County Regional High boys’ varsity cross country team.
Over the last 25 years Alustiza has stood as living proof that a varsity sports coach can be kind and understanding and successful too. However, sparked by the success of the boys’ varsity track and field team this past spring, the Greyhounds boys themselves have come into this fall’s cross country season with a newfound hunger to be the best.
“This year we want to close the gap on Moorestown and beat them and win the Liberty Division,” said Alustiza. “We have aspirations and high expectations.”
And starting with senior star Mike Bowden, NBC has the best Top 4 it’s had in quite some time. Already one of best distance runners in NBC history, Bowden went to two camps this summer to improve his distance running even more.
“Mike Bowden is sharp. He’s got fresh legs and he looks hungry. He’s gotten some good mileage in over the summer,” said Alustiza.
Last spring Ryan Ramirez made a big impact by winning several important distance races to help the NBC track and field team put together a perfect regular season.
Junior Dylan Kurowsky is already a fine distance runner and Alustiza has been very impressed with the running of sophomore Andre Dupuis in camp.
As of the beginning of this week, junior Jerry Pham and senior Huntley Nolan were battling it out for the fifth spot in the Greyhounds’ lineup. There is, however, a tremendous amount of depth on this squad with senior Jon Grossman, senior Steve Kinezeck, junior Brian Dombrowski, junior Evan Fox, sophomore Matt Grossman, freshman Kyle Abramowitz, freshman Alex Carrell, freshman Todd Hoisington and freshman Matt Molnar.
All of the Greyhound runners have been putting in their mileage this summer and are ready to go. Bill Kostenko, who helped the boys get in their running work over the summer, is back for his eighth season as Alustiza’s assistant.
Because he has just eight runners on the girls’ side, Alustiza’s primary goals will be to keep his NBC girls’ varsity cross country squad healthy and competitive.
Junior Emma Rosenwinkel is already an experienced distance runner and junior Tanya Doschyk, who used to run cross country when she was in middle school, looks very promising. As she showed during the spring track and field season, senior Ashadaya Patterson has a world of talent and will be one of the Greyhounds’ cross country runners this fall. Sara Morris (junior), Kayla Wharton (junior), Brittany Michaels (freshman), Lydia Nolan (freshman) and Selena Senachai (freshman) are the other runners on the NBC girls’ varsity cross country squad.
“We have to pray that nothing freakish happens (injury wise),” noted Alustiza. “They show up and they want to practice. It’s a good group of girls.”
On both sides, Alustiza has kids who enjoy running great distances. That’s all any cross country coach can ask for.
