The Bishop Kenny boys finished 5th at the 2A Cross Country Finals in 2016 and are poised to make the podium after returning their top five. Coach Kevin Curran gives us the Scouting Report on this year's team.
How did your team fare last season and what did you take away from 2016?
The 2016 season didn't go as well as we had hoped. Our young boys team ran an okay race at the state meet which placed them 5th overall. For many of them it was their first state meet race, and the big take away was gaining the experience from that level competition. Many of them either ran a little timid or they got caught up running someone else's race. The good news is that we return all of the top five runners, and the boys have done a great job learning from their mistakes and using that experience as an inspiration for maturing and getting faster during the track season.
How is the team looking this year? What are your tentative top five and top seven?
The team looks a lot stronger than what is on a stats page. The 2017 track season was a huge step forward from XC. JP Kaczorowski qualified for states in the 3200 and has become a strong #2 to complement Nathan Jubran, and the young duo of Matt Kennedy and Jacob Ossi just missed the sub 10:00 mark. In addition to the top returners from last year, we have a great battle for the fifth spot emerging between Jacob Wagner, Andrew Slade, Liam O'Connel-Becker and Brad Kennelly.
What are the strengths of this team?
Maturity, depth and competition for places.
What has the training been like? Have you gone to any camps?
We have spent most of the summer focusing on endurance and strength. We get out to the trails at Ft. Caroline National Memorial a couple times a week to do long runs and run hills and we we took 31 boys and 26 girls to Brevard, NC for the Brevard Distance Runners Camp.
Any new additions who may contribute? Any surprise non-returners?
No new guys have cracked the top 7 yet, but we have a handful of 1st year runners/freshman that are already mixing it up with the top JV runners. Evan Cope, Michael Teal, Ryan Mayer and Vince Fetchero are all 10-20 positions so it will be fun to watch them and the other newcomers grow over the course and to see what they can contribute.
What are the team goals and meets you're keying for this year?
Mid season we will be keying up for our home meet, Katie Caples, the FSU Invitational and the Coach Wood Invite in GA. In the post season we want reclaim the JV champs title and to be on the podium at the end of the season.Anything else you'd like to add?