Boys Capsules
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Ashley Blair (2nd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 5th in Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jonathan Nisly, jr.; Stefan Stechschulte, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Allen Childs, soph.
NOTABLE: Bluffton will not be able to compete as a team in 2011 with three runners. The Pirates graduated five seniors from last year’s team including state qualifier Matthew Herron.
Carey
HEAD COACH: Dean Kessler (14th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 5th in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Paul Kreh, sr.; Alex Lamberjack, sr.; Michale Patton, jr.; Brayden Leist, jr.; Oscar O’Flaherty, jr.; Clayton Brickner, jr.; Hayden Reinhart, soph.; Adam Hiatt, soph.;Evan Hiatt, soph.; Tommy Arredondo, soph.; Bailey Griffin, soph.; Ben Kromer, soph.; Jon Fahl, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Zach Logsdon, fr.; Michael Bennett, fr.
NOTABLE: The Blue Devils have a deep and experienced team that could be one of the teams to watch when the postseason heats up in October.
Columbus Grove
HEAD COACH: Terry Schnipke (6th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Northwest Conference champs.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Drew Schroeder, sr., Josh Stephens, sr.; Darrion Grant, jr.; Jake Graham,, jr.; Tregg Keysor, jr.; Troy Meyer, jr.; Nick Schmiesing, jr.; Grant Schroeder, jr.; Alex Shafer, jr.; Cody Reynolds, soph.; Will Vorhees, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Colton Grothaus, fr.; Elisha Jones, fr.; Jerry Kesselmeyer, fr.; Corey Schroeder, fr.; Alex Tabler, fr.; Cody Wischmeyer, fr.
NOTABLE: The Bulldogs lost three of its top seven runners from last year’s NWC championship team. Junior Jake Graham is back to lead the team after finishing 36th at the Division III state meet last season at Scioto Downs.
Elmwood
HEAD COACH: Chris Hailey (17th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Suburban Lakes League champs.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Dexter Lee, sr.; Josh Boes, sr.; Jacob Benedict, sr.; Conlan Varty, sr.; Alex Jasso, jr.; Justin Hathaway, jr.; Lorne Strausbaugh, jr.; Tommy Rios, jr.; Lincoln Young, jr.; George Andrich, jr.; Jacob Nungester, jr.; Devon Spieker, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kole Shultz, soph.; Chris Brown, soph.; Andrew Jasso, fr.; Josh Mathias, fr.; Matthew Wagner, fr.
NOTABLE: Elmwood is trying to qualify for the OHSAA state meet as a team for the fourth straight year.
Fostoria
HEAD COACH: Kim Cousin (8th year)
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 8th in Northern Ohio League
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Angelo Eufracio, sr.; Justin Jackson, sr.; Brad Reinbolt, sr.; Salvador Cantero, jr.; Alan Cross, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: John Ward, sr.; Mark Sierra, sr;; Damin Kiesel, jr.; Andy Eufracio, jr.; Peter Nunez, soph.
NOTABLE: Look for Salvador Cantero to be the No. 1 runner for the Redmen this season and push for a possible state meet berth in the postseason.
Hopewell-Loudon
HEAD COACH: Marie Coleman (10th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 3rd in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Avery Gatchell, sr.; Andrew Lommerse, sr.; Aaron Lucius, sr.; Trevor Risner, sr.; Robert Kniss, jr.; Marcus Ardner, soph.; Ryan Depinet, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Dylan Napier, soph.; Patric Gase, fr.; Bernie Somers, fr.; Chet Swartzmiller, fr.; Alex Wood, fr.
NOTABLE: Five of Hopewell-Loudon’s top seven runners return from last year’s team that qualified for the state meet. The Chieftains will certainly miss two-time all-Ohio runner Tyler Wise who graduated last spring.
Kalida
HEAD COACH: Scott Miller (5th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Neil Gerding, sr.; Jordan Laudick, sr.; Connor Schmenk, sr.; Jared Zeller, sr.; Eric Warnecke, jr.; Jordan Wurth, jr.; Joel Zeller, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Levi Blake, sr.; Derek Siefker, sr.; Damon Birkemeier, jr.; Trevor Guisinger, soph.; Randy Zeller, soph.; Logan Roebke, fr.; Austin Vorst, fr.; Mitchell Kerner, fr.; Spencer Vorst, fr.; Grant Zeller, fr.
NOTABLE: Look for a vastly improved Kalida team this season with its entire team back and seven new runners added to the roster this season.
Liberty-Benton
HEAD COACH: Jack Quisno (22nd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Cole Newman, sr.; Eric Duvall, jr.; Joseph Sherrieb, sr.; Jacob Clagg, sr.; Gary Kedmenec, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Ty Gleason, fr.; Levi Stump, sr.; Mitch Yake, soph.; Ryan Vorst, jr.; Jaden Edwards, fr.; Garrett Eurich, sr.; Dylan Cornwell, jr.; Isiah Carpenter, fr.; Blaine Sefton, fr.
NOTABLE: Liberty-Benton should be strong with the return of Eric Duvall and Gary Kedmenec, who both battled injuries last season.
McComb
HEAD COACH: Andrew Honse (4th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Bobby Myers, sr.; Nick Clymer, sr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Tyler Bailey, fr.; Logan Landversicht, fr.; Jacob Beeson, fr.; Aaron Aller, fr.
NOTABLE: The Panthers will be able to field a complete boys eam for the second straight year. There will be no girls team this season though.
New Riegel
HEAD COACH: Dan Beisner (11th year)
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Midland Athletic League champs.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ryan Schalk, sr.; Jacob Welly, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: None.
NOTABLE: One year after qualifying for the state meet with a senior-dominated team, New Riegel has just two runners out for the boys squad in 2011.
North Baltimore
HEAD COACH: Bradlee Rowlinson (6th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 12th in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Phillip Ernsberger, sr.; Austin Davis, sr.; Brandon Senecal, jr.; Evan North, sr.
TOP PROSPECTS: AJ Hotaling, fr.
NOTABLE: North Baltimore could be a team on the rise with plenty of experience and a freshman that will make an immediate impact.
Ottawa-Glandorf
HEAD COACH: Brad Leis (33rd year)
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Second in Western Buckeye League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: John Lammers, sr.; Jacob Siebeneck, sr.; Ryan Verhoff, sr.; Colton Haselman, jr.; Austin Escobedo, jr.; Zac Closson, jr.; Matias Trampe-Kindt, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Nikkio Baldazo, fr.; Carl Basinger, soph.; Jon Basinger, soph.; Ryan Cramer, jr.; Wayne Erford, jr.; Tyler Freeman, soph.; Brendon Gerdeman, fr.; Chris Hyman, fr.; Kevin Mo, soph.; Ian Nordhaus, fr.; Scott Ruhe, sr.; Mitch Schroeder, jr.; Logan Siebeneck, soph.; Mark VonderEmbse, sr.; Cody Webken, sr.
NOTABLE: The Titans are looking forward to another solid year. Lammers was a second team all-WBL selection last year while Haselman, Siebeneck and Trampe-Kindt helped the Titans advance to the Division II regional meet last fall.
Ottoville
HEAD COACH: Bob Kaple (43rd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jason Turnwald, sr.; Seth Bendele, sr.; D’angelo Beuly, jr.; Jacob Turnwald, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Mark Waldick, soph.; Andy Horstman, soph.; Ryan Kimmet, fr.; Brandon Kimmet, fr.; John Landwehr, soph.; Matt Niemeyer, fr.; James Tiller, soph.; Janathan Tiller, jr.
NOTABLE: Jason Turnwald is a three-year letterwinner for the Big Green.
Pandora-Gilboa
HEAD COACH: Steve Amstutz (4th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
TOP PROSPECTS: Grant Lugibihl, fr.; Jacob Miller, fr.
NOTABLE: Being freshmen, Lugibihl and Miller are both untested, but Amstutz is anxious to see how they perform this season.
Riverdale
HEAD COACH: Kim Rall (2nd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Didn’t field a full team.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Cody Radabaugh, jr.; Tyler Miller, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Tyson Frey, soph.; Lee Holderman, soph.; Jay Mason, fr.; Brandon Butler, fr.
NOTABLE: The good news is that with six runners, the Falcons will be able to field a full team this fall. Junior two-year letterwinner Cody Radabaugh will lead the team, which is made up of sophomores and freshmen.
St. Wendelin
HEAD COACH: Cindra Baker (6th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 9th in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Aaron Foss, sr.; Tyler Rumschlag, sr; Jorden Nye, jr.; Rodney Park, jr.; Brady Rutter, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Josh Digby, sr.
NOTABLE: Mohawks have just six runners on the team this season. They were unable to put a full team on the starting line at their season-opening meet in Sandusky on Monday.
Upper Sandusky
HEAD COACH: Ed Arnold (15th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 7th in Northern Ohio League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jay Clinger, sr.; Justin Ely, sr.; Zac Funkhouser, sr.; Garrett Huston, sr.; Garrett Miller, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jeremy Rall, sr.; Luis Ayala, fr.; Mason Derr, fr.; Jacob Herring, fr.; Adrian Salines, fr.; Dominic Solis, fr.
NOTABLE: Miller is coming off a solid freshman season in which he missed a berth in the regional meet by only two spots.
Van Buren
HEAD COACH: Adam Schumacher (2nd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Eric Wymer, sr.; Aaron Crissman, sr.; Zach Wehrle, jr.; Cameron King, jr.; Austin Corey, soph.; Joel Schumacker, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Dean Rodabaugh, sr.; Colton Sieber, sr.; Ted Simmons, soph.
NOTABLE: Wymer was one spot away from qualifying for the OHSAA Division III state meet last season and tied the school record with a time of 16:45.
Girls Capsules
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Ashley Blair (2nd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 2nd in Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Hannah Chappell-Dick, sr.; Julie Althaus, jr.; Morgan Humphreys, soph.; Delaney Reineke, jr.; Audrey Marshall, so.
TOP PROSPECTS: Courtney Barnett, soph.; Morgan Schroeder, soph.; Noelle Heinze, soph.; Haley Keller, fr.; Adel Sonners, fr.
NOTABLE: Bluffton had an outstanding season in 2010 with as the Pirates were NWC and District runners-up. Hannah Chappell-Dick is returning for her senior season along with several younger runners, which could lead to more team success this year.
Carey
HEAD COACH: Dean Kessler.
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 3rd in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Jenna Jesko, sr.; Amanda May, sr.; Kailin Regutti, sr.; Oriana Billock, sr.; Sarah Walter, jr.; Alivia Stephan, jr.; Ellen McDougle, jr.; Kayla Keller, jr.; Jaclyn Troiano, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Not available.
NOTABLE: With five top runnners returning, the Blue Devils will be looking to duplicate last year's success in the MAL.
Columbus Grove
HEAD COACH: Jason Jay (5th year).
2 010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 5th in Northwest Conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Amber Herron, sr.; Cece Utendorf, sr.; Jorgi Schramm, sr.; Kayla Parlette, soph.; Brooke Schnipke, soph.; Micah Stechschulte, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Alexa Halker, jr.; Quincy Miller, jr; Heidi Stechschulte, jr;; Sienna Gerdeman, jr.; Melissa Amstutz, jr.; Alexis Ricker, fr.; Megan Langhals, fr.
NOTABLE: There are lots of new runners at Coilumbus Grove this season. Getting those newcomers up to speed quickly will be key in the team’s development.
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Elmwood
HEAD COACH: Chris Hailey (17th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Suburban Lakes League champions.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ashley Wolfe, sr.; Anita Britt, sr.; Katrina Fausnaugh, sr.; Jessica Murlin, jr.; Hayley Rinearson, jr.; Miranda Wagner, jr.; Madison Reinhard, jr.; Emily Wilhelm, jr.; Brittany Gross, jr.; Kyra Bloom, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Emma Krassow, fr.; Emily Trace, fr.; Megan Hathaway, fr.
NOTABLE: Hailey will be looking for a No. 1 runner to step forward as the Royals try to extend the teams success from the Suburban Lakes League to the newly-formed Northern Buckeye Conference.
Fostoria
HEAD COACH: Kim Cousin (8th year)
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Didn’t field a full team.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ashlynn Roberts, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Marissa Woodward, sr.; Julie Krupp, soph.; Raissa Napier, soph.
NOTABLE: Just four runners are on the team at Fostoria this season but the Redmen have one of the best all-around female athletes in the school on the team again this year in Ashlynn Roberts.
Hopewell-Loudon
HEAD COACH: Paul Jones (15th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 2nd in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Cassie Reinhart, sr.; Paige Reinhart-Anez, sr.; Zoe Kackler, sr.; Kailey Coleman, jr.; Shelby Raudebaugh, jr.; Erin Reinhart-Anez, jr.; Alayna Rowell, jr.; Haley Schreiner, jr.; Olivia Wolph, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Leah Reinhart, fr.
NOTABLE: Coming off of a district runner-up finish, Hopewell-Loudon has several experienced runners returning including Cassie Reinhart and Erin Reinhart-Anez who were both second team All-MAL selections a season ago.
Kalida
HEAD COACH: Rob Schnippel (5th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Amanda Giesige, sr.; Deanna Kahle, sr.; Jessica Doepker, jr.; Summer Holtkamp, jr.; Katie Schmitz, jr.; Katelyn Kortokrax, soph.; Paige Wurth, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Lora Tschuor, sr.; Becca Brinkman, fr.; Jackie Gardner, fr.
NOTABLE: Jessica Doepker became the school’s first state meet qualifier last fall. She is back along with six of Kalida’s top seven runners from a year ago.
Liberty-Benton
HEAD COACH: Pat Wagner (29th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Audra Schroeder, sr.; Halle Frey, sr.; jessica Muhlenkamp, sr.; Sam Rhodes, sr.; Tory Hunter, sr.; Megan Saums, jr.; Kate Baumlein, soph.; Mackenzie Briggs, soph.; Megan Peplinski, soph.; Tamora Kern, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Paige Kinsinger, jr.; Kara Shaffer, jr.; Monica Gupta, soph.; Jaclynn Hohman, soph.; Ashley Frankart, fr.; Madi Greiner, fr.; Alie Hunter, fr.; Devony Miller, fr.; Mackayla Sandford, fr.; Gabrielle Yake, fr.
NOTABLE: The Eagles have all seven runners back that ran to an 11th-place finish at the Division III state meet last season.
New Riegel
HEAD COACH: Dan Beisner (11th year)
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 6th in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Trisha Smith, sr.; Morgan Nye, soph.; Lauren Zoeller, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Abby Cassidy, soph.; Ashley Mathias, jr.
NOTABLE: Mathias will split her time between the volleyball and cross country teams at New Riegel this fall. The Blue Jackets hope to field a complete team by the end of the year.
North Baltimore
HEAD COACH: Bradlee Rowlinson (6th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 10th in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Amanda Hotaling, sr.; Chloe Hamlin, sr.; Rachel Flores, sr.; Jeanella Brown, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Mariah Leonard, fr.
NOTABLE: Rowlinson feels any of his top four runners could lead the team on any given day.
Ottawa-Glandorf
HEAD COACH: Brad Leis (33rd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Sixth in Western Buckeye League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Hayley Kitchen, sr.; Brittany Nordhaus, jr.; Kialee Koch, soph.; Jenny Meyer, soph.; Dana Rosselit, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Holly Stechschulte, sr.; Kristine Trampe-Kindt, sr.; Molly Closson, jr.; Corinne Cramer, jr.; Kaitlyn Hempfling, jr.; Breanna Kosch, jr.; Tasha Cass, soph.; Alex Dean, soph.; Maria Durliat, soph.; Michelle Durliat, soph.; Jayme Hahn, soph.; Darla Turner, soph.; Madyson Haselman, fr.; Maggie Leis, fr.; Jill Rosselit, fr.; Kelly Schmitz, fr.; Amber Schroeder, fr.; Kindra Thiesen, fr.
NOTABLE: With 24 runners on the team, the Titans have excellent numbers but little experience with five returning letterwinners.
Ottoville
HEAD COACH: Bob Kaple (43rd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Amy Looser, jr.; Kara Hoersten, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Elizabeth Luersman, fr.; Sami Rellinger, sr.
NOTABLE: Ottoville is a little short on numbers after a successful run the past four years. Among last spring’s graduates was four-time all-Ohioan Shayla Siefker.
Pandora-Gilboa
HEAD COACH: Steve Amstutz (4th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference meet.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Megan Schneck, sr.; Candace Vance, sr.; Vanessa McCullough, soph..
TOP PROSPECTS: Hunter Hermiller, soph.; Breana Hovest, fr.; Taylor Hiegel, sr.
NOTABLE: Behind senior captain Megan Schneck and 2010 regional qualifier Vanessa McCullough, Amstutz is optimistic that his team can do well.
Riverdale
HEAD COACH: Kim Rall (2nd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: Didn’t field a full team.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: None.
TOP PROSPECTS: Heather Craine, sr.; Hannah Frey, sr.; Anna Penwell, jr.
NOTABLE: Riverdale’s girls won’t have a full team this season but could have individual success with Frey and Penwell. Frey had a big season in track last year but won’t be back from an ankle injury until midseason.
St. Wendelin
HEAD COACH: Cindra Baker (6th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 11th in Midland Athletic League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: .Grace Berton, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Jocelyn Reinhart, fr.; Victoria Volpe, fr.; Sami Digby, fr.; Sara Goddard, fr.
NOTABLE: The Mohawks have some talented freshmen moving up from the junior high ranks but will have the minimum five runners to field a full team this season.
Upper Sandusky
HEAD COACH: Ed Arnold (15th year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 7th in Northern Ohio League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Halee Stief, sr.; Brittany Fletcher, sr.; Jen Easton, sr.; Brianna Franklin, jr.; Kaitlin Rowe, soph.
TOP PROSPECTS: Taylor Flowers, sr.; Elizabeth Ritzler, jr.; Lexie Glass, fr.; Audrey Thomson, fr.
NOTABLE: Stief will be looking to take the next step this season for the Rams after qualifying for the regional meet each of the past three years.
Van Buren
HEAD COACH: Adam Schumacher (2nd year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: No conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS:. Rachell Resnik, soph.; Julia Endicott, sr.; Alisa Warren, soph.; Kenzi Beall, soph.; Courtney Van Horn, soph.; Michelle Flanagan, soph.; Allison Devore, sr.; Jackie Cole, sr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Meg Ewing, sr.
NOTABLE: Resnik is a returning regional qualifier. With the return of seven letterwinners and the addition of Ewing, the Black Knights should move toward the middle of the pack in most invitationals this season.