By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
The Stevens Point Area Senior High boys cross country team may have lost the two-time conference individual champion to graduation, but that doesn't mean the Panthers aren't in great shape to win their 13th straight Wisconsin Valley Conference team title.
SPASH, which has won the Valley 23 of the last 24 years, will be without Josh Garbe. However, many of the Panthers' returnees worked hard over the summer and, according to coach Donn Behnke, are in excellent condition.
"We're not overly experienced, but these guys have been highly motivated. These guys have come into the season in tremendous shape," SPASH coach Donn Behnke said.
Sophomore Chris Solinsky is SPASH's top returning runner and looks to grab the torch from Garbe as the conference champion. As a freshman, he finished 25th at the WIAA state cross country meet and was sixth in the 3,200-meter run at the state track meet.
"He's going to be tough to beat in our conference. His goal is to make the all-state team," Behnke said.
"Now he's strong enough that he's a leader in workouts. He's tireless and fearless. He has a lot of great qualities."
A newcomer may take over SPASH's No. 2 spot. He's senior Josh Kujawa, who played football for three years.
Seniors Kyle Patoka, SPASH's fifth runner last year who finished 102nd at state last year, and Nate Hurst will be on the varsity when the season kicks off. Quinn Baumberger, a junior who was 119th at state last year as the team's sixth runner, was among the team's top five at Saturday's intrasquad race.
SPASH has three runners who are new to the varsity level - seniors Chris Johnson and Dan Yudchitz and freshman Mickey Katz. Sophomore Matt Zier and freshman Luke Langhorst are close to the varsity level.
"My feeling is we'll build a strong team around these guys," Behnke said. "I feel really good where we're at right now. We have good depth and some good attitudes."
SPASH opens its season Saturday at the Marshfield Columbus Invitational.
In the conference race, Behnke said two other teams could challenge SPASH for the title. "It might be a good race with Marshfield and D.C. Everest," he said. "I think we might be a step ahead because these guys came into practice in great shape."
The Panthers will also try to win the team's 24th sectional title in a row, with Green Bay Preble and Pulaski the other schools in the running.
At the state meet, SPASH finished a surprising fifth and Behnke would like the Panthers to move up in the standings although he said all of the teams that finished in the top six have a lot of runners returning.
"Waukesha West is the favorite. It's my hope that we can improve enough that we can chase La Crosse Central, Homestead and Franklin," Behnke said.