First Posted: 8/27/2014
Wyoming Area returns four regulars from the lineup, including its top three finishers from last year’s season-ending District 2 championships, as it tries to climb above the .500 mark in boys cross country.
“It’s a team that really has a lot of potential,” said Mike Stefanik, who coaches both the boys and girls teams. “They did a lot of growing up over the summer. They’re training extremely hard.”
Stefanik said any one of the four veterans – Zach Gibbons, Nico Vasquez, Joe Buczynski or Ryan Marvin – could lead the way.
“I think our number one is going to bounce back and forth,” he said.
Gibbons is the lone senior. He led the team at districts last year.
The other three returnees are juniors.
David Alberigi moves up from the junior high team. Austin Rought was on the team last year and is ready to be a more consistent contributor this season, according to Stefanik.
The Warriors went 8-9 in the Wyoming Valley Conference in 2013.
“We’re definitely looking for a winning season, definitely looking to be competitive,” Stefanik said. “Double-A is loaded, but the kids are hungry for it this year.”
Stefanik expects a more competitive girls team after going 2-14 last year.
“We’re looking to improve,” Stefanik said. “We have a full girls team this year. We had some injuries last year.”
Mackenzie Bilbow is back after leading the team last season while Emily Yarmey and senior Jules Scappaticci also return.
The junior high program should provide a boost with Mackenzie Pegg and freshmen Addison Orzel and Sarah Holweg joining the lineup.
Stefanik said Orzel could battle Bilbowfor the No. 1 spot.
