Boys cross-country runners for JA are from left, front row, Brady Tremayne, Jonas Watkins, Greg Nussman, Matt Hirshberg and Jameson Cook; second row, coach Alicia Tremayne, coach Jameson Ehret, Eddie Barnes, Chase Gray, Matthew Perkey and head coach Justin Creps; third row, Teegan Headings, Will Jackson, Ben Jackson, Luke Goode and Sergey Dutt. Not pictured, Lucas White, Mason Hermiller, Colyn McDaniel and coach Alex Irwin. (Photo submitted)
Jonathan Alder’s girls cross-country team is pictured from left, front row, Amanda Simmons, Sarah Malone, Chloe Fields, Kate Curtiss, Liza Streit, Evie McDaniel and Mattie Shoemaker; second row, Reggan Gray, Helena O’Connor, Emma Kennedy, Maggie Malone, Maddy Headings and Jessica Kelley; back row, coach Alicia Tremayne, Avery Wynk, Lauren Wynk, head coach Justin Creps, Natalie Heflin, Kalyn Greiner and coach Jameson Ehret. Not pictured, Joselyn Zuro and coach Alex Irwin. (Photo submitted)
A young team during the 2020 season converts into a veteran squad this fall.
That’s the best feature for Jonathan Alder cross-country coach Justin Creps.
The Pioneers return eight lettermen on the boys’ side of the ledger and six on the girls’ side.
Both Alder squads captured Central Buckeye League championships a year ago.
Boys’ veterans include Sergey Dutt, Colyn McDaniel, Jonas Watkins, Matthew Perkey, Will Jackson, Luke Goode, Brady Tremayne and Lucas White.
Returning lettermen for the girls are Reagan Gray, Liza Streit, Evie McDaniel, Avery Wynk, Emma Kennedy and Kate Curtiss.
Creps was asked what he expects, time-wise, from his runners this fall.
“I’m not a coach who over-analyzes expectations for times and splits,” he said. “We coach the process and concentrate on doing things the right way.
“If we work hard and compete to be our best, the times will take care of themselves.”
The veterans will be joined by several new runners.
They include Greg Nussbuam, Chase Gray and Ben Jackson for the boys.
“They have each had strong summers,” said Creps.
“For the girls, we expect big things from Kalyn Greiner, Jessica Kelley, Natalie Heflin and Jo Zuro.”
Creps said a solid work ethic will guide the Pioneer runners.
“We have a lot of really hard workers who love to compete,” he said. “We built a really strong foundation this summer.”
There are still some areas of concern.
“Replacing all-state runners like Morgan Hicks and Maddie Davis will be a challenge, but we fully expect the returning girls to continue to pursue the standards we’ve come to expect here over the last six years,” said Creps. “On the boys side, we want to make sure we keep everyone healthy.
“A lot of times the teams that do the best at the end of a long and trying season are the ones who manage the stresses of training the best and are the healthiest at the right time.
“We just want to do our best, trust the process and be good teammates,” he said. “Everything else will take care of itself.
“We expect to be competitive for league and district titles and state qualification.”