Boys cross country preview: Fourth division adding challenges

Change is coming to cross country this fall, with the OHSAA adding another division to create more state meet opportunities. For the Division I boys teams in Medina County, Brunswick, Medina and Wadsworth, the biggest adjustment is the elimination of the district meet for that division. Dealing with how a vacant spot on the schedule between league championships and regionals is a new challenge. Despite the added division, there's no absence of quality teams, especially in the upper divisions. "Going into four divisions makes it a little bit different," Brunswick coach Kerry Hunter said. "We're not sure how it's going to look, but from what I've gathered team-wise, it's going to be just as difficult as it has been in the past." The added opportunities are exciting to some coaches despite not having a clear picture of how things will work out. Highland now joins Buckeye and Cloverleaf in D-II, while Black River and Medina Christian slide to D-IV. "It'll be interesting to see (how it works out)," Highland coach Andrew Lynden said. "We haven't really been given who or where each district is in yet. When that information comes out, that'll be helpful. "There've been a number of years where we were that eighth team or 10th team right on the cusp of getting to the state meet. I think this might give us more opportunities to advance." Despite the change, the job remains the same. "There's going to be more opportunities to qualify, but certain divisions are going to be just as difficult as you saw in the past," Buckeye coach Renee Harden said. "Division II is extremely competitive. Division I is as well, but it always has been." Here is a closer look at the eight Medina County teams: Black River Coach: Steve Rhein (2nd season). Last season: 3rd Lorain County League, 8th Lorain County Community College Division III District, Connor Rhein 63rd individually state meet. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Connor Rhein (All-Gazette, jr.), Noah Orgel (sr.), Kyle Vondereau (sr.), Lucas Olive (sr.), Logan Rhein (jr.). Newcomers: Archer Combs (fr.). Noteworthy: Black River believes it can get five runners under 18 minutes as the Pirates aim to return to state for the fourth time in five years. l State qualifier Connor Rhein is in position to break 16 minutes. Brunswick Coach: Kerry Hunter (39th season) Last season: 5th Greater Cleveland Conference, 2nd Lorain County Community College Division I District, 11th Boardman Regional, Santino Diligente 40th individually at state. Key letterwinners lost: Santino Diligente (All-Gazette), Anthony Petitto (HM All-Gazette), Luca Brusco (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Tommy Strippy (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Corbin Klein (sr.), Noah Jarold (sr.), Ryan Hershbine (sr.), Emmett Keller (sr.). Newcomers: None. Noteworthy: Following the graduation of Diligente, Brunswick doesn't have a clear-cut lead runner, but makes up for that with a strong pack. l Hunter said he is eager to see who emerges to bolster the back of the lineup. Buckeye Coach: Renee Harden (10th season) Last season: 6th Cleveland West Conference, 15th Lorain County Community College Division I District. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Dimitry Pshonyak (HM All-Gazette, jr.), Brady Salazar (sr.), Paul Abbott (jr.), Ben Naso (jr.), Gavin Waibel (jr.), Cooper Kay (so.). Newcomers: Cole Burtzlaff (jr.), John Galayda III (jr.), Brant Anderson (fr.), Vincent Joy (fr.), Nick Rieth (fr.), Joe Stahl (fr.), Aiden Williamson (fr.). Noteworthy: On Monday, Buckeye won Keystone Icebreaker for the first time since 2016. l The Bucks are aiming to be the first team in program history to qualify for state. Cloverleaf Coach: Garth Gucker (15th season). Last season: 2nd Metro Athletic Conference, 6th Lorain County Community College Division II District, 14th Boardman Regional, Caleb Neville 27th individually, Gavin Forbes 61st at state. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Caleb Neville (Gazette MVP, sr.), Gavin Forbes (All-Gazette, sr.), Austin McNeill (sr.), Noah Mion (jr.), Matthew Jenkins (jr.), Mason Clapp (jr.), Clay Gucker (so.). Newcomer: Gavin Ferrone (fr.). Noteworthy: Reigning MVP Neville is recovering from a hip injury and is on track to return at some point midseason. l Without Neville, Cloverleaf finished seventh at the Keystone Icebreaker, paced by Forbes (17:13.90, 6th). Highland Coach: Andrew Lynden (10th season). Last season: 1st Suburban League American Conference, 6th Lorain County Community College Division I District, 17th Boardman Regional, Ty Sgambati 76th individually at state. Key letterwinners lost: Ty Sgambati (All-Gazette), Oren Scranton (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Chase Oberhaus (jr.), Nate Boyce (jr.), Andrew Boffert (jr.), John Hildenbrand (so.), Andrew Welch (so.).. Newcomers: Jacob Oblander (fr.), Logan Conrad (fr.). Noteworthy: After graduating its top four runners, Highland is abundantly young. Hildebrand is the only returner from the top five. l The Hornets are aiming to leave the Suburban League American Conference on top before going to the larger National Conference next season. Medina Coach: Brian Dudek (5th season). Last season: 2nd Greater Cleveland Conference, 1st Lorain County Community College Division I District, 9th Boardman Regional, Braighden Sullivan 98th at state meet, Andrew Mosack 102nd. Key letterwinners lost: Braighden Sullivan (All-Gazette), Andrew Mosack (All-Gazette), Carson Meagher (HM All-Gazette). Letterwinners: Riley Dworznik (sr.), Joey D'Aurelio (sr.), Nate Fischer (sr.), Liam Meade (sr.), Peyton Davis (sr.), Logan Jones (sr.). Newcomers: Logan Butsko (jr.), Ethan Antill (so.). Noteworthy: Led by the senior class, Medina enters this season motivated by not making the state meet for the first time since 2014 last season. l The Bees' mission to win the GCC and get back to the state meet begins today at the GlenOak Golden Eagle Invitational. Medina Christian Coach: Shannon Auld (1st season). Last season: 2nd Lake Effect Conference, 15th Lorain County Community College Division III District. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Logan Theis (sr.), Grayson Bolen (so.), Eli Auld (so.), Isaac Calvert (so.). Newcomers: None. Noteworthy: The Knights graduated three seniors and are working to gain experience. l Medina Christian opens the season at Painesville Riverside Kickoff. Wadsworth Coach: Nathan Colwell (2nd season). Last season: 6th Suburban League National Conference, 12th GlenOak Division I District. Key letterwinners lost: None. Letterwinners: Ty Racin (HM All-Gazette, sr.), Robert Beatty (sr.), Eli Loveless (sr.), Jaden Schmidt (jr.), Declan King (so.), Carter Myers (so.). Newcomers: Landon Lanham (so.), Landon Myers (so.), Jake Mount (fr.). Noteworthy: Wadsworth expects to be competitive in the top half of the SL National Conference, as well as strives to be in the hunt for a state berth. l Colwell expects Grizzlies to have plenty of depth with an experienced top five runners, saying team is strong No. 1 through 15. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.