Future is here for talented Wooster boy’s cross country team

  • By Brian Questel
  • August 21, 2010
  • 319
                        
A year ago Doug Bennett was looking at a youthful roster and it certainly couldn’t have escaped him to look to the future. With a freshman, two sophomores and three juniors dominating the lineup, the veteran Wooster High boy’s cross country coach knew that was a team that would get better with experience. That corner has been turned and that time is here. Bennett is hopeful it is good enough to make a run of a different sort. “There is lots of potential,” said Bennett of his 26-man squad. “They have done their homework this summer. If they can think like a team and give a little more of themselves, I think we’ll have a nice group. I think we could challenge for the league title.” That is in part because of juniors Cody Neidig and Brock Berlin, who both earned all-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors and qualified to run in the regional meet, the final step before State. They are coming off solid track seasons as well, which has Bennett anxious to see what they could accomplish this fall, especially with sophomore Zach Humrichouser factored into the mix. “Zach had a good spring, running a 10:06 in the two-mile, Brock had a good spring, and Cody really raced well, running a 4:26 mile,” said Bennett. “Both (Cody and Brock) were all-league (in cross country) and they ran a 17:07 and 17:17 at regionals. And, in the unofficial open race (at regionals), Zach ran a 17:38. “I think they got a little taste of the postseason and I think they understand the commitment it will take to advance.” A trio of seniors – Danny Jones, Taylor Jackwood and Cody Polen – earned letters last year, giving Wooster a talented unit to build upon. Two other seniors who have been in the program, Ben Hamilton and Chris Meigs, will support them, along with newcomer Ian Perry, a junior, sophomore Ethan Nicolozakes and freshman Tom DiFilippo. “We had Neidig and Berlin make it to the regional meet and I’m hoping we can get the whole team there,” said Bennett. “If we can get there, then we may have a shot at getting to State. We just have to stay healthy and keep working hard. If we do, it’s pretty exciting … to think what we may do.” Wooster opens its season August 25, at the Mapleton Invitational.


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