SHORELINE — The Shorewood girls cross country team has a new coach and younger look, as several top runners off last year’s Western Conference South Division champions graduated.
Brock Hogle, who helped coach the Shorewood boys and girls distance runners last track season, takes over the girls program from Amy Chertock.
He inherits a team that’s rebuilding after losing a quality group of seniors. Gone are top runner Hannah Vietmeier, who finished 21st at state in Class 4A, as well as Katie Haug, Kim Gladow, Alison Osborne and Kristin Santroch.
“We lost 12 out of 25 girls,” Hogle said. “So we’re awful young.”
Shorewood has 21 girls out this season but only three seniors.
Junior co-captain Sara Levy, who finished in the top 10 in the Wesco South meet last year, is the Thunderbirds’ top returner. Junior co-captain Christy Rusch is “a real solid runner up near the front,” Hogle said.
Sophomore Willa Junkinsmith, freshman Devon Geary and freshman Emile Osborne round out the top five. Senior Kristina Kenney also is in the mix.
“Cross country is a lot like poker — you have seven cards and play your best five,” Hogle said.
Edmonds-Woodway is one of the favorites in the Wesco South while Snohomish and Lake Stevens are the teams to beat in District 1.
Hogle comes to Shorewood with 20 years of experience as a high school cross country coach. His teams won 13 Metro League titles, nine boys and four girls, while he was at Nathan Hale and he coached the boys to a state title in 1966. He is a member of the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
On the boys side, 31 athletes turned out and the roster is young.
Senior captain Alex Krowka leads the returners along with junior Stefano Johnson, senior Matt Colleen and senior Kenny Yiu.
Freshmen Alex Brock, Joe Gladow and Kane Thomas round out the top seven.
“Our goal right now is for these kids to finish in the middle of the pack at Wesco,” Shorewood boys coach Howie Wood said.
Jackson, Kamiak, Snohomish and Everett appear to be the teams to beat in District 1 on the boys side, Wood said. Edmonds-Woodway and Mountlake Terrace could have good year s as well.
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