2008 Boys Cross Country Preseason Preview
The Shaker Boys Team has been hard at work since the first team practice on August 18th. Actually, most of the team members have been training on their own since early July to prepare for the tough Suburban Council and Section 2 competition over the next three months. Coming off an undefeated league season (11-0) in 2007, the Shaker runners know they have a "tough act to follow." Leading the team will be Senior Craig Weiss, returning from a strong season last fall and more recently, a trip to the NYS Outdoor Track Championships as the Section 2 Steeplechase Champion. He will be joined by returning Varsity runners Chris Van Zetta and Matt Blizinski who are expected to provide experience and leadership. Among last years' strong JV runners expected to move up and contribute to another winning season for Shaker are (Sr.) Will Schanz, (Jr.) Ryan Egan and (Jr.) Eric Young. Also competing for a Varsity spot are middle-distance track runner (Jr.) Chris Herman along with (Sr.) Brian McConkey.
The future of Shaker XC remains bright as several sophmores move up from last year's powerful Frosh team including Kyle Foster, Casey Gilboy, Andrew Olson, and Dave Marthy after a successful outdoor track season. The Freshman team features several runners who are returning for their 3rd season including top runner Mike Libruk, Brian O'Connor, Brian Hickey, and Jackson Ciavardoni along with several runners returning for their second xc season, Caleb Mellon, Ryan Recchia, Adam Schwenzfeier and Aidan Snyder.
This year's competition in the Suburban Council and Section 2 may really be about second place. The Shendehowa Boys XC team could be the strongest team in Section 2 history. With at least five outstanding, experienced runners, Shen has been ranked #4 in the nation in one preseaon poll. Seniors Brian Trainor, Mike Danaher, Jamie Glover along with (Jr.) Dan Harris and recent transfer from Warwick (Sr.) Alex Leuchanka are expected to form the core of a Shen team that many fans feel will take home the championship trophy from every meet in which they are entered for the next couple months. Shaker will have plenty of other competition throughout the season. Otis Ubriaco (best soph in NYS) will lead a young Burnt Hills Team in the battle for 2nd place in the Suburban Council. BH-BL will be challenged by an experienced Queensbury team for the Class A title & a trip to the NYS Championship meet.The Niskayuna team, which competes in the SC has dropped to Class A (based on enrollment) and will be led by (Sr.) Louis Serafini and (Soph) Marshall Pagano, winner of the Frosh Race in last year's Springstead Invitational. The strongest individual competitor in Section 2 may be Saratoga's (Sr.) Demetri Goutos, winner of last years' Suburban Council Championship and the AA Sectional Championship. Middle-distance track star Tyler Stewart is expected to lead Colonie's team this season.
One thing is certain, Coach Springstead, in his 51st year of coaching, will prepare his runners with emphasis on hardwork, perseverence and teamwork!