The Goldey-Beacom men’s cross country team is going to have a powerful top seven this season. The three top performers from last year – most valuable player Ben Kinley ( Jr., Johnstown Pa.), Paul Graybeal (Jr., Newark, Del.) and David Zartler (Soph., Perryville, Md.) will again be leaders on the trail. All three of these runners have started to show growth and understanding of running against college competition on an 8k and 10k course. Ben had a few excellent races last year, placing 3rd, 6th and 8th at different invitationals, but for the team to improve, he, Paul and David will need more top-10 performances.
For the past three years, top recruits have signed with Goldey-Beacom and in 2010 we have the addition of a few more top high school cross country runners. Two of these individuals should make an impact in the beginning of the season. Stewart Reich from Fredrick, Md. has the talent to be one of GBC’s best. He should be a top contender on the team this year. We have high expectations for Stewart, and he should be setting fast goals and looking to surpass many times on the GBC All-Time 8k and 10k list. Hugo Morales, also from Fredrick, Md., will be another key to the success of the cross country team. He is a very strong runner who shows a lot of dedication and has the right attitude. In high school he placed 9th in the 3200 meters at the county meet with a time of 10:26. Hugo could be one of the biggest surprises this year.
The talent being added to the team this year continues with many newcomers looking for varsity positions. Jabri Chambers (Howard High School) was on the 4x400 Delaware state championship relay team. Brandon Turner (Elkton High School in Maryland) finished third place in the county meet with a time of 11.76 in the 100m dash. Daryl Roberts, another Elkton grad, was fourth in the county meet in the 100m dash with a time of 11.95. These freshmen, along with many returning sprinters such as Demetris Harding (Jr., Hodgson Vo Tech) and Mike Frantz (Sr., Glasgow High School) should form a focused unit of sprinters who will develop a sense of pride in the school’s spring track program.
Every runner on the 2010 men’s cross country team will have the opportunity to contribute to the exciting season that awaits the team this Fall. Two of these runners are returnees, senior Trevor Freburger and sophomore Ali Jafri. Ali was part of the Delaware state championship team in the 4x800 in 2009. Because of all their great teammates, these two individuals will have to prove themselves day in and day out to be considered a college varsity runner on the weekend. Conley thinks that with their desire and work ethic, they both are up for the challenge.
The Lightning will have a great season in 2010 because of their depth. Anything more they accomplish will be because of their never say die attitude.