By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

High school boys cross country team previews for the 2024 season. If a school is not included, their season preview will be published at a later date.

CRESTWOOD

Head Coach: Jim Schweickert, 14th year.

Coaching Staff: Greg Cicero.

2023 Record: 5th in Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division.

Returning Lettermen (4): Augie Schweickert, jr., Kevin Vechery, jr., Cadyn Wurm,jr., Austin Wurm, soph.

Lettermen Lost (4): Hans Seibold, Grayson Sanwald, Josh Delaney, Michael Fergus.

Season Outlook: Augie Schweickert returns after being the program’s top runner the previous two seasons — even despite battling through injuries.

Vechery, who trains with Schweickert regularly, is the team’s No. 2 runner.

Garrett Byers was not healthy last fall and missed time, but has continued to improve every year, according to coach Schweickert. He is now training with the front group consistently.

Austin Wurm had a breakout season in 2023 and is expected to continue on that trajectory.

Underclassmen to Watch: Evan Rhodes, fresh.; Julian Russo, soph.

FIELD

Head Coach: Ed Conroy, 19th year.

Coaching Staff: Mike McKinney; Zach Mack; Sarah Conroy; Paul Stoicoiu.

2023 Record: 2nd place Metro Athletic Conference; 2nd at districts; 4th at regionals; 7th at OHSAA state championship.

Returning Lettermen (3): Lucas Pollard, sr.; Parker Shutty, sr.; Mason Prusha, jr.

Lettermen Lost (5): Carter Little, Billy Silk, Sean Silk, Evan Pruszynski, Chip Wagner.

Season Outlook: After a tremendous season a year ago, the Falcons graduated five of the top-eight runners from that group.

The team’s strongest three runners are Parker Shutty, Lucas Pollard and Mason Prusha.

“Both Lucas and Parker are our team captains,” Conroy said. “Parker was our lead runner on last year’s team, running a personal best time of 16:12.”

Shutty qualified for the state championships as an individual.

“He understands what it takes, both mentally and physically, to be competitive in all invitationals and has high hopes for returning to the state meet.”

Conroy identified Pollard as a key to last year’s team success.

“This year, though, he has set his goals on qualifying for the state as an individual,” Conroy said. “Mason is a hard working young athlete, who was seventh on our team last year. Hopefully, he will break into the 17s this year.”

Underclassmen to Watch: Sean Green, fresh.; Joseph Nnadozie, fresh.

KENT ROOSEVELT

Head Coach: Matt Pazderak.

Coaching Staff: Kaylie Weigel, Ken Claypoole.

2023 Record: 7th Suburban League American Division.

Returning Lettermen (7): Cor Asp, sr.; Diego Coutino Granados, sr.; Carter Slack, sr.; Dean Foster, jr.; Colt Jurovcik, jr.; Carter Stevenson, jr.; Harri Wunderle, soph.

Lettermen Lost (1): Ethan Young.

Season Outlook: “We are looking ahead to a promising and competitive season, with many returning runners and several freshmen,” coach Matt Pazderak said.

The Rough Riders top-scoring runners returning include Cor Asp, Carter Stevenson and Carter Slack.

“All three had notable track seasons and have been putting in the work in the summer months to get better.”

Underclassmen to Watch: Harri Wunderle, soph.

MOGADORE

Head Coach: Diana Morris, 4th year.

Coaching Staff: Michael Morris.

2023 Record: 10th at regionals.

Returning Lettermen (4): Jude Leeser, Cameron Brady, Evan Phillips, Dante Navarette.

Lettermen Lost (1): Ryan Keren.

Season Outlook: “Our returning runners are even stronger than last year right out of the gate,” Morris said.

The Wildcats have six total runners on the roster, with freshman Thomas McEwen making an impact as a scoring option.

Underclassmen to Watch: Thomas McEwen, fresh.

RAVENNA

Head Coach: Emma Lunardi, 1st year.

Coaching Staff: Kendrick Johnson.

2023 Record: No record.

Returning Lettermen (1): Dakota Bishop.

ROOTSTOWN

Head Coach: Larry Bailey, 42nd year, 298-157 career record.

Coaching Staff: Kyle Rodstrom.

2023 Record: Portage Trail Conference champions, regional qualifiers.

Returning Lettermen (10): Dylan Wilfong, sr.; Nathan Lee, sr.; Luke Flowers, sr.; Brady Brown, jr.; Wyatt Shenal, jr.; Jacob Sturm, jr.; Brayden Dougherty, soph.; Isaac Simkanin, soph.; Tycho Smock, soph.; Jamie Lee, soph.

Lettermen Lost: None.

Season Outlook: The Rovers have depth and talent.

The group returns three All-PTC runners in Brady Brown, Wyatt Shenal and Jacob Sturm. Another runner, Brayden Dougherty, missed All-PTC honors by one placement.

Dylan Wilfong, Nathan Lee and Luke Flowers are three other competitors that have proven their value to the varsity scoring.

Jamie Lee could emerge as a key runner for the Rovers, while Tycho Smock and Isaac Simkanin have “greatly improved in track and could be a major part of the team this year,” according to veteran coach Larry Bailey.

Underclassmen to Watch: Brayden Polcyn, fresh.; Jefferey Sanicky, fresh.; Oliver Hunt, fresh.; Cameron Henry, fresh.; Chase Smialek, fresh.

SOUTHEAST

Head Coach: Monica Kiskadden, 4th year.

Coaching Staff: Julia Dillon, Kelli Simmons.

Returning Lettermen (4): Brice Schoenbaechler, sr.; Matt Fields, sr.; Dylan Evans, jr.; Cohen Richardson, soph.

Lettermen Lost (2): Carter Evans, Hunter Nutter.

Season Outlook: The Pirates’ program is growing — both in numbers and talent.

In addition to the group’s returning lettermen, Southeast has welcomed seven new runners for the 2024 season, which is its first in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference.

“We are excited to see the leadership of Matt Fields and Dylan Evans,” Kiskadden said. “Cohen Richardson came out last year to prepare for the basketball season and next thing we knew, he was given a uniform and became an integral member of our team. He has shown to be a natural runner, and we are excited to see what a full season holds for him.”

Freshmen Caden Dillon and Micah Craver helped lead the Pirates’ middle-school program to the Portage Trail Conference championship last year.

“We are excited to see how they perform at the varsity level. Caden has natural skill, running is in his blood and he pairs that with gutsy competitiveness.”

Underclassmen to Watch: Caden Dillon, fresh.; Micah Craver, fresh.

STREETSBORO

Head Coach: Jon Hannan, 6th year.

Coaching Staff: Angela Novotny, Larry Hoffman.

2023 Record: 5th in Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (6): Tim Harkleroad, sr.; Hayden Brown, sr.; Marcus Peters, jr.; Chris Daniels, jr.; Ares Miller, soph.; Ty Zipprich, soph.

Lettermen Lost (3): Mario Puleo, Charles Ivory, Braden Hodge.

Season Outlook: Tim Harkleroad, Marcus Peters and Chris Daniels are the top returning runners for the Rockets.

Harkleroad and Peters have broken the 18-minute mark and Daniels is not far behind.

“Having three runners possibly hitting the mid-17s and below this year will be good for our team,” Hannan said. “Tim, Marcus and Chris are all very good runners, who consistently want to improve.”

The Rockets are smaller in roster numbers overall, but Hannan said he felt that the experience at the top will help lead the team.

Depth from runners like Hayden Brown, Jaden Shaffer, Ares Miller and Ty Zipprich will also be key components to the season.

Underclassmen to Watch: Troy Mazer, fresh.