Paulsen, Glass led the pack in 2015
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Coming off a fourth-place finish in the Southern Lakes Conference last year, a better season hinges on the health of an experienced Panther boys cross country squad, according to Wilmot Union High School coach William Dinegan.
However, it is too soon to tell where last year’s seventh place Lady Panthers could land in the competitive SLC, he added.
Even though health and the unknown are two primary factors for both Wilmot programs in 2016, they return last year’s Most Valuable Players – sophomore Jordan Paulsen and senior Zoe Glass.
“Our boys are going to be very competitive this year, if they stay healthy,” Dinegan said. “(Our girls) are an unknown.”
Despite some uncertainty entering the Lady Panthers’ season, they bring back senior leadership, and promising underclassmen
Lady Panthers bring some optimism
Glass, who competed for the first time in cross country last year, has returned with a different mindset this season, according to Dinegan.
The mindset, he said, is attributed to more rigorous off season training and a more intense work ethic at practice.
“Nobody works harder in practice than Zoe Glass. She was able to train this summer which she didn’t last year, because she was planning on playing volleyball,” Dinegan stated.
While Glass enters the season more prepared, after a junior year when she led the pack in most races, she joins other senior runners that include honorable mention all-SLC Sam Porter.
Porter, a four-year letter winner, could play a significant role this year, on one condition.
“Sam Porter is a fourth year runner who has lettered her first three years,” Dinegan said. “She has a lot of potential if she believes in herself as much as I do.”
Adding to the list of seniors is Claire Griffin, who Dinegan states is “great team player who just works hard and gets better as the season goes on.”
Other senior letter-winners Dinegan expects to see this year are Tayla Simek and Deja Simpson, in addition to several newcomers, including freshmen Tara Nopenz and Barbara Cooper.
Also, sophomore Gretta Cieslak, a state qualifying alternate for track, looks to play a role for the cross country team.
Paulsen returns for boys
While Paulsen led the pack in most meets last year, Dinegan stated the sophomore has the ability to come through when it counts.
“Jordan Paulsen tends to come up big on meet day. In practice, he works hard, but doesn’t tend to stand out like he does on race day.”
Joining Paulsen are several seniors including Ryan Ott, Matt Cieslak, Nathan Loeffler and Brad Eidson.
“Ryan Ott has been the most consistent runner in practice so far,” Dinegan said. “But we have a number of boys who are hot on his heels.”
Two juniors that played a role on last year’s squad – Brock Muzzy and Tristan Azevedo – are also back.
Adding to the mix are sophomores Shawn Davis and Alex Wank along with freshman James Rayniak.
But, season hinges on health and consistency on the trails.
“I think the boys can do very well this year if we stay healthy,” Dinegan said.