NORWICH
Graduation stole two of Norwich’s top boys runners from a year, yet Norwich still has ample back-up for this year, said head coach Shaun Horan.
While the Tornado harriers may not have the same level of scoring runners in meets and invitationals, there is youth to build on for the future. “Even though we graduated a lot of kids and have some inexperience, but there is a lot of potential,” Horan said.
In his first year of cross country, senior Frankie Garcia moved into the three spot in the lineup. The only senior on this year’s boys team, Garcia assumes the mantle of first runner for the Tornado. “He really did have a good first season, and I’m not sure what he expected,” Horan said of Garcia. “He’s a fit kid and in shape. We expect even better this year.”
Next in line behind Garcia are sophomores Connor Nichols and Ben Ericksen. Michael Manwarren is a solid middle-of-the-pack guy, and varsity newcomers Zane Harper and Steven LoPresti will vie for a scoring spot in races.
On the girls’ side, Horan had just four girls come out for the team – all solid performers – but the Tornado girls are one short of a scoring team. Horan hopes to change that predicament once school starts when he can recruit, but in the meantime, he’ll move forward with returning runners Martha Clemens, Kristen Slate, and Corrine Shea. The fourth member of the squad is sophomore newcomer Elizabeth Eddy, a transfer from the swimming program.
Clemens should lead the Norwich pack and compete for an all-division spot. “We do have good quality with the girls, and they’re willing to work hard,” Horan said.
Norwich opens its season Sept. 6 at the Oneonta Invitational.

SHERBURNE-EARLVILLE
For the first time in several years, Sherburne-Earlville will have a full complement of boys and girls – scoring teams to enter into all invitationals, league meets, and eventually the league championships. “I feel fortunate and excited this year,” said Anne Geary, now in her 18th season as head coach.
Senior Ian Benedict, a Center State Conference all-star last season, leads the Marauders. The top runner for the team as a junior, Geary will again look for Benedict to lead, on and off the course. Stepping up to likely occupy the second spot is Kenny Ulrich. Tristan Rainford, a transfer from football, is gaining early-season experience in his new sport, and is forecasted to place among the top five on the team. Making up the rest of the S-E lineup are returnees Brandon Lambert and Jake Bennett, while freshman Jeremy Carroll is up from the modified team. “I’m sure there will be meets where we won’t have all six on the line, so we’ll need every one to compete on any given day,” Geary said. “We do have some flatter courses coming up on the schedule, so it will help with the kids’ confidence.”
Geary also sports a six-girl roster for the season. At the front of the S-E pack, Geary says it’s a toss-up between sophomores Ashly Palmer and Miranda Wright. Sophomore Alexis Kane will run in the middle of the lineup, senior Abby Ryan gives S-E its most experience out of the third or fourth spot, while freshmen Emma Baker and Sage Westcott will vie for the fifth scoring spot. Much like the boys, any given day a runner may be out of the lineup, thus making every race for every runner an important one for team scoring.
“The younger girls are gaining confidence that they can compete with the older runners,” Geary said. “I think the girls will surprise themselves this year.”