Guerin Catholic’s cross country program has been making steady progress over the past few years.
The Golden Eagles girls reached the state finals for the first time ever last season, and return four of the seven runners that competed at Terre Haute. The Guerin boys advanced from sectionals last season and have one of the state’s best runners back for his junior year.
First, the girls. The Golden Eagles placed 14th in their inaugural try at state. The four returning GC runners from that team are senior Lucia Perez and juniors Paige Schemanske, Ellie Schroeder and Isabelle Museck. Schemanske is coming off a successful track season, where she made it to state in the 3200 run. Schroeder was part of Guerin’s state-qualifying 4×400 relay.
In addition, GC coach Cody Marowski said there are several other runners that will be important for the Golden Eagles, including senior Amanda Schafer, sophomore Nicole Powers, “and the freshmen class as they look to improve upon their 14th place state finish from last fall.”
As for the boys, junior Quinn Gallagher wrote his name in the Guerin Catholic history books when he became the Golden Eagles’ second boys state qualifier in cross country. Kent Garrett was the first for GC, making it twice, in 2009 and 2010. Gallagher finished 26th last year at state.
Also returning for the Guerin boys is senior Andrew Hall, who regularly ran as the No. 2 or No. 3 Golden Eagle last year. After that, there will be some new faces, as Guerin Catholic graduated 13 seniors.
GC runners to look out for include seniors Jimmy Huscroft and Bobby Spech, and juniors Joe Barrett and JP Spoonmore.
GIRLS ROSTER
Seniors: Olivia Balcer, Gillian Defalque, Maren Fitschen, Rachel Kehlor, Hope Museck, Lucia Perez, Gwen Ridout, Jackie Sapienza, Amanda Schafer, Meredith Sell.
Juniors: Kaleigh Falimirski, Isabelle Museck, Paige Schemanske, Elizabeth Schroeder, Olivia Van Buren, Megan Wiitala.
Sophomores: Audrey Darland, Marian Grskovich, Nicole Powers, Eileen Witt.
Freshmen: Margaret Adolay, Raegan Bohbrink, Eleanor Brooks, Kinley Callahan, Maghan Gallagher, Delaney Klee, Caroline Moster, Beatriz Perez, Claire Rancourt, Abigail Sndyer.
BOYS ROSTER
Seniors: Matthew Finley, Andrew Hall, James Huscroft, Cass Kauffman, Robert Spech, Christopher Wood.
Juniors: Aaron Banks, Joseph Barrett, Nathaniel Brooks, Quinn Gallagher, Hank Lazzara, Denis McCann, Ethan Moster, James Spoonmore, Jack Swift, John Young, Wesley Young.
Sophomores: Joseph Fremion, Weston Gingerich, Nick Karn, Noah McNeany, Traig McPhail, Gabriel Nuzzi.
Freshmen: Tyler Backlund, Austin Callahan, Samuel Hanlin, Thomas “Holden” King, Gavin Morrow, Nicholas Schramm, Dominic Stein, Christian Ward.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 19: Circle City Conference meet, 9 a.m. at Guerin Catholic
Aug. 29: County meet, 5:30 p.m. at Noblesville
Sept. 2: State Preview meet, 8:30 a.m. at Terre Haute
Sept. 9: All-Catholic meet, 11 a.m. at Guerin Catholic
Sept. 16: Flashrock Invite, 9 a.m. at Northview Church
Sept. 23: Shelbyville Golden Bear Invitational, 9 a.m.