(Photo by Steve Becker)
Boys Scouting Report
Coach Gary Droze's Maclay Marauders are one of the top returning programs on both the boys and girls side in class. If you add into the equation the loss of a good portion of defending state champion Holy Trinity to transfer, it's not unrealistic for both of Droze's teams to make the podium.
The boys were fifth in 2014, after two straight runner-up years. They return all seven runners from that team with a top four that according to Droze are almost interchangeable. Clay Milford, Jake Mazziotta, James McClure, and Captain George Gwynn are all within 20 seconds of each other, in the high 16-low 17 range. After the top four, they drop off a bit at number five. This is where they will rely on seniors Aneesh Rahangdale, Steven Simpkins, and Daniel Becker as options to close the gap. Daniel Sweeney opted out of cross country to serve as the kicker for the football team while pole vaulter Gannon Hundley has put in summer miles in hopes of making the top seven. Droze knows he can rely on the top returners to lead the team as well as teach the newbies.
"The top guys have been extremely consistent with summer mileage, and they all have state meet experience. They know what they're doing. We have a lot of new very young boys and girls who will not immediately contribute, but should learn a ton from the veterans. Also, Steven Simpkins, who played football last fall, is using XC to gain endurance for a crack at the 800 school record (1:54) in the spring. Great to have Steven on board."
Maclay will continue their streak of district and regional championships in 2015 and will contend with Shorecrest Prep for their sixth state title in school history.
Girls Scouting Report
Much like the boys the girls are return majority of their team as well. The Lady Marauders finished fourth last season and are led by junior team captain Caroline Willis who was 9th last year at the state meet. Behind her will be Kate Whitworth who Droze says has been a mileage beast all summer, middle schooler Lindsay James, and veterans Molly McCann, Jainey Coates, and Rachel Rumana.
The team will experience the loss of varsity runners Kenzie Mazziotta and Page Secreast who are both coming off surgeries, and will be rehabbing for the first half of the season. Look for them to find a spot in the top seven by the season end if healthy and added needed depth to the team. Droze calls this year's class a very intelligent group.
"Based on summer tempo workouts, they are developing a mature sense of pace which should yield confidence when they race. Caroline and Katie have become real students of the sport."
For twenty years, Coach Droze took the kids to team camps like Brevard and Warrior, but recently the group has been hosting their own camp which took them to Columbus, Georgia. The long weekend consisted of a 5k race, two trail runs in area parks, and a white water rafting trip, a great experience for runners to build their base, compete, and bond as a team.
Oak Hall and Holy Trinity have shared the podium for a while in 1A dating back to the last time the girls were runner up in 2009. The Maurauders have five state titles and four runner-up finishes in the program's history and could add more to that in 2015.
Coach Droze's Final Thoughts
"For both squads, the main team goal is to give the seniors a nice going away present at the State Meet. Personally, my responsibility to the juniors and seniors who express an interest in college running is to get them ready for that next level, in terms of endurance-building and overall fitness.
Regardless of how they finish at State, both squads compare very favorably to past Maclay teams that won state cross country titles. Thanks to my coaching peers around the state, the level of performance at the top of 1A is considerably higher than it was in my early years at Maclay. That's good for the runners, the fans, and the sport."