Metro high school boys cross country preview capsules

Fargo Davies
Coach: Jason Holland (5th year)
Last season: 2nd at state meet, East Region champions
Who’s gone: Branden Scheel (East Region individual champion, Class A senior athlete of the year,
all-state), Peter Isakson, Tim Yocum
Key returners: Evan Kottsick, Sr. (all-state); Hunter Lucas, Soph. (all-state); Jacob Henne, Jr.; Colton Smith, Sr.; Alex Skaare, Soph.; Matt Bauske, Sr.; Corey Herman, Jr.; Ryan Teigen, Jr.; Isaac Brye, Sr.; Brenan Duffield, Sr.
Coach’s comments: “Our No. 7 through 15 runners are very comparable and there is going to be a lot of competition among that group to make the top 10 of our lineup. We have some talented freshmen – Joval Yousa, Jacob Zetocha and Clay Bachmeier – that will be looking to compete for a state-meet roster position at the end of the season. The kids are excited about competing and looking forward to having another full season together.”
Fargo South
Coach: Dustin Swanson (1st year)
Last season: 14th at state meet
Who’s gone: Sean Ahlness, Reed Koenig
Key returners: Jacob Steiner, Fr.; Eli Simonson, Jr., Devin Sailer, Jr.; Mateo Gingrich, Soph.; Alex Sassi, Soph.; Menkah Mendin, Soph.
Coach’s comments: “We are a very young team without a single senior on the roster this year. We have a lot of young, talented kids and we are continuing to get athletes out for the team so we can grow. We will show some inexperience in the early parts of the season and we should make big strides in performances as the season progresses.”
Fargo North
Coach: Gary Mailloux (40th year)
Last season: 6th at state meet
Who’s gone: Tanner Bjorlie (all-state); John Daly, Andrew Harms, Sanders Ellingson
Key returners: Jaxon Handt, Sr., Alex Luz, eighth grade; David Dowdell, Soph.; Coghlan Fisher, Soph.; Mith Modi, Sr.; Martin Altenburg, Soph.; Ty Duncan, Sr.; Max Evenson, Soph.; Jeff Jones, Jr.; Willy Underdahl, Sr.
Coach’s comments: “Looking strictly at the grade level of our roster, it would appear that the Spartans are young and untested in the 5K racing world. The coaches and runners see great opportunities and the chance for a lot of surprises. There is a lot of excitement as we observe the work ethic and enthusiasm being put into our daily practices. We feel no pressure to perform at a particular level and are looking to grow as individuals and as a team.”
Fargo Shanley-
Fargo Oak Grove-
Moorhead Park Christian
Coach: Barry Anderson (1st year)
Last season: 8th at state meet
Who’s gone: Seb Startz (all-state), Tom Startz (all-state)
Key returners: John Christensen, Sr.; Matt Brock, Jr.; Mason Lantz, Soph.
Coach’s comments: “Our top of the lineup will be strong, but we’ll also be looking to develop depth. We’ll have a very young team with a lot of middle school athletes on the team, but our goals will be to improve as a team and have each individual get better each race.”
West Fargo
Coach: Joe Bailey (14th year)
Last season: 9th at state meet
Who’s gone: Anjelo Shepherd, Nick Peterson, Aric Dvorak, Jayce Gravdahl, Will Kooyer
Key returners: Parker Rosenau, Sr. (all-state); Keegan Cronin, Sr. (all-state); Jared Kroke, Sr.; Matt Dufner, Sr.; John Emerson, Soph.; Drew Mears, Soph.
Coach’s comments: “Parker and Keegan were all-state runners for us last year and we have a bunch of runners that have improved considerably in the offseason. Hopefully, as a team, we can continue to get better as the year goes along.”
West Fargo Sheyenne
Coach: Tyler Carlson (1st year)
Last season: NA (2014 is its first season as a varsity program)
Who’s gone: None
Key runners: Kody Coles, Jr.; James Pieper, Jr.; Charley Weber, Jr.; Leo Smith, Fr.; Luke Wasem, Fr.
Coach’s comments: “We will be very young in our first year of varsity cross country, but I have some great leadership on this team. My guys are really buying into the new program and are excited about building a new tradition over at Sheyenne High School. The guys have been working very hard and put in a lot of miles over the summer. We’re excited to race and see where we stack up in the EDC.”
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
Coach: Mike Anderson (16th year)
2013 season: Finished 3rd at Class 2A, Section 8 meet
Who’s gone: Tony Santos (three-time state qualifier), Ryan Leach (two-time state qualifier), Mike Tollefson and Josiah Hurner.
Key returners: Bailey Crook, Soph.; Dan Wilson (state qualifier), Fr.; Josh Cole, Sr.; Cameron Ash, Fr.; Jaden Crook, Fr.
Coach’s comments: “The D-G-F boys squad is a young, but talented team that has the potential to send several runners into the state meet. The key for the team will come in the development of its depth, primarily in the success of their fourth and fifth runners. Several are coming off successful track seasons and can run with some of the top talent in meets this season. Individuals that have maintained and built on their fitness between seasons will have a distinct advantage and will stand out as the 2014 cross country season begins. By the season’s end, the D-G-F boys team hopes to be competitive as one of the top teams at both their conference and sectional meets this year.”
Moorhead
Coach: Jeremy Blake (5th year)
2013 season: Finished 4th at Class 2A, Section 8 meet
Who’s gone: Josh Young (member of Spuds school-record 3,200-meter relay team and running at Minnesota State Moorhead this season).
Key returners: Elijah Herrick, Jr.; Erick Wicklund, Jr.; Hunter Zbasnik, Sr.; Luke Lillehaugen, Sr.; Eric Gibbons, Soph.
Coach’s comments: “After last year’s section finish, the Spuds boys are eager to return to the course and, with 10 of the top 12 runners returning this fall, the long-range goal is to qualify to race at the Minnesota state championship meet. In order to attain that goal, 15-20 boys (including experienced veterans and promising freshmen) have run together each morning for the past 10 weeks getting ready for the season. That preparation, along with last year’s experiences will help the boys to understand what to expect in September and October and by late fall, they plan to be ready for championship racing. It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Spuds cross country team.”