Strong turnout boosts Panther runners’ outlook

PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth cross country program boasts impressive numbers – the largest turnouts in recent history – but lacks quality depth on the varsity level.

Both the boys and girls squads lost key runners from last year’s Eastern Wisconsin Conference champions but return standout individuals. The program has 51 participants – 26 girls and 25 boys.

GIRLS PREVIEW

The Panthers are the two-time defending EWC champions and return reigning individual winner sophomore Haley Johnson. Sophomore Niki Rhyan, who placed third in the EWC meet, and Johnson were Division 1 state qualifiers.

“We graduated a number of girls who were quality runners for many years, so we definitely have some holes to fill,” said longtime PHS head coach Jay Grosshuesch.

“Three of our top five runners graduated last year. Haley and Niki will give us some real strength at the top of each race. These two girls had great inaugural cross country and track seasons and we look for them to be our leaders this fall.

“Our key to success is going to be finding support for Niki and Haley in our Nos. 3-7 runners.

“We are fortunate to have a team of quality young ladies who are working hard and have a positive attitude. Our key season goal is to have each girl improve and if that happens, our season will be successful,” Grosshuesch said.

The team returns eight letter winners. Looking at the EWC, the coach said Kiel will be very tough and Two Rivers will also be good.

BOYS PREVIEW

Senior Greg Poser, the defending league champion, heads a group of eight returning letter winners. Two other key runners back are senior Greg Rhude and junior Luke Schmidt who placed ninth and 11th, respectively, at the 2008 EWC championships.

“We are fortunate to have a nice group of returning runners who should provide us with a solid team,” Grosshuesch said.

“Four of our top five at the conference meet are back, led by Greg Poser who was the individual champion. Greg should lead our team with strong finishes in each meet.

“I believe the degree of success of our team will be dependent upon these last three spots [5-7]. I am certain of one thing, our team works hard and with their work ethic and a positive attitude, that anything is possible.

“Our strength is our numbers and our depth. Our weakness is that we lack quality depth, but I am confident that our runners will step up to the challenge and work to fill our lineup with seven strong runners,” the coach said.

Grosshuesch thinks Kiel, Two Rivers and Sheboygan Falls look strong in the EWC. “As every year our team goal is to have every runner improve. If that happens, our team will get better and our season will have been a success,” he said.

PLYMOUTH BOYS & GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE

Aug. 27 – Quad., at UW-Sheb.
Aug. 29 – at West Bend Invite
Sept. 3 – at Kiel Invitational
Sept. 10 – at Green Bay SW Invite
Sept. 22 – Panther Relays, here
Sept. 26 – at Manitowoc Invite
Sept. 29 – County Meet, at Sheb. Luth.
Oct. 8 – at Campbellsport Invite
Oct. 17 – EWC Meet, here
Oct. 24 – Sectional, at Oshkosh North

PHS CROSS COUNTRY ROSTERS

Boys Seniors – Matt Irwin, *Greg Poser and *Greg Rhude. Juniors – *Jack Brody, *Taylor Ludvik, Willie Miley, *Sloan Pfeifer, *Collin Rortvedt *Luke Schmidt and Dan Uribe.

Sophomores – Sam Ahrens, Nick Chin, Devin Gumm, *Ian Jasso and Parker Kastelic..

Freshmen – Alex Dykstra, Michael Gilhuber, Cormick Hnilicka, Kyle Lisowe, Tanner Neils, Nick Pearce, Matt Rhude, Sam Salibi, Tyler Seich and Mitch Tournour.

Girls Seniors – Kayla Brennan, Cierra Flaig, Kristin Holschbach, Ruth Klevstad, *Jo Jo Prahl and Johanna Schmidt.

Juniors – *Holly Henriksen, *Lindy Klawonn, Emma Roy and *Hannah Ruetten.

Sophomores – Ashley Birenbaum, *Josephine Boeckman, Kelly Grosshuesch, *Haley Johnson, Hannah Klecka, Anna Kleinhans, Liz Poser, Maddie Poulette, *Niki Rhyan, *Christina Schicker, Kiley Timler and Rachel Vargas.

Freshmen – Somer Flaig, Emily Geiger, Keston Murphy and Isabel Roy. * = Returning letter winner.