The two-time defending WIAA Division 1 boys cross country state champions, Stevens Point Area Senior High, will be counting on a lot of inexperienced runners in their chase for a conference title and a berth in the state meet.
Senior Josh Garbe is the only runner returning from last year's 1998 state meet. Longtime coach Donn Behnke is looking to seniors A.J. Moen, Chris Jahntz and Peder Johanson, who both have varsity experience, and sophomores Quinn Baumberger and Curt Mitchell to be the Panthers' top runners this season.
"For the first time in a long time we face a major rebuilding season. We lost eight of our top nine runners to graduation," Behnke said.
"This year's team has a lot of under developed talent. Most of the runners we will depend on lack varsity experience and have not run fast cross country or track times.
"We will take our lumps early in the season as our guys gain race experience."
When the Wisconsin Valley Conference and WIAA Sectionals roll around, Behnke is hoping the Panthers will be ready. Marshfield, who returned seven runners from last year's 11th place state finish, will try to unseat SPASH in the Valley.
"We hope to challenge Marshfield for the conference title and qualify for the state meet for the 23rd consecutive year," he said.
Pacelli High School
The Cardinals are looking to develop several underclassmen while a quartet of seniors enter their final season.
Franz Klein, a top placewinner in the 3,200 meter run at the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association, is back for his senior year and should be Pacelli's top runner.
Other runners returning from last year's team include seniors Chris Fletcher, Nate Kryshak, Paul Marten and Nathan Herbert. Nick Gross, Joe Miller and Jason Lepak are the juniors on the team, while freshmen Stephan Klein, Evan Kruzitski and Mike Kaczmarek may contribute to the varsity.
Second year Pacelli coach Tim Olson will get his first look at his team in a racing situation Saturday at the Marshfield Columbus Invitational
"This year should be an interesting mix of senior leadership and the development of young and inexperienced runners," Olson said. "We are looking to improve on last year's conference and state finishes and to continue to rebuild the team for the future."
Amherst
The Falcons will try to build on last year's seventh place finish at the WIAA Division 3 state meet, a season where they won the Central Wisconsin Conference and captured the title at their WIAA sectional meet.
Amherst will be without 1998 number one runner Brian Ovanin, but the Falcons have three seniors and plenty of underclassmen to help fill his shoes.
"We expect to do that again this year," Amherst coach Rob Sparhawk said of last year's accomplishments.
"As the year goes on, we're just going to get better and we're going to get stronger."
At the team's first meet of the season, the Iola-Scandinavia T-Bird Invitational, the Falcons finished fourth without their entire roster running. Senior Dan Ehr, Jordan Selbo (So.), Jonathan Bronk (Sr.), Jeremy Sherf (Jr.), Dan Werner (Jr.), Scott Hintz (Fr.), Tim Olson (So.), Scott Nylel (So.) and Eugene Uhl (Sr.) should compete for varsity spots for Amherst.
In the race for the CWC title, the Falcons will likely battle Bonduel and Port Edwards.
"The conference is really even this year, more than it was last year," Sparhawk said. "I think we have a good chance of winning the conference meet."
Rosholt
The Hornets have a handful of seniors back for the 1999 season, but with only five runners, depth is a question for Rosholt. However, coach Mike Trezbiatowski says his team is full of hard workers.
"The boys are definitely small in numbers but all five continue to train hard and should improve from beginning to end," Trzebiatowski said.
Seniors Pat Knutson, Bob Omernik, Rob Check, Joel Skornia are joined by freshman Bart Butler to comprise the five-man team. The quintet open their season Tuesday at the Wittenberg-Birnamwood Invitational.
"They may not have the most talent but they are neat and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are kind and considerate and are willing to work hard."