2024 MIAA Cross Country Preview

by Nelson Coffin

While claiming the program’s seventh overall — and third out of the last four — MIAA A Conference cross country title last fall, Calvert Hall simply had more experience and depth to separate itself from the rest of the pack.

The Cardinals will still pack a punch, although losing stalwarts, like three-time individual champ Cameron Davis and last year’s runner up, Cort Schroder, will be a factor.

Calvert Hall coach Scott Baker readily acknowledges that the perception of the 2024 squad is different than that of the 2022 and 2023 teams.

“From the outside looking in, we probably look like we will take a step back this year,” Baker said. “But I think we will be greatly improved from last year. I think our team looks to be more of a pack-running team than we have been in years past. We should see a lot of new faces step into the scoring roles on the team.”

Baker added that JD Hughes could have a breakout year after running the 3200 (9:30) last spring for the track team as a freshman, noting that the Cardinals will lean heavily on seniors Elliot Palmer, Max Larcher, Lucas Archer, and juniors Cam Parker and Lucas Archer.

“We look forward to mixing it up with the best in the region and the state and hope to surprise a lot of people,” said Baker, whose Cardinals were listed by youthrunner.com website as the best team in Maryland.

Last year’s runner-up, Loyola Blakefield, also graduated some top runners, such as Sean Wilson and Bryce Robinson, leading veteran Loyola coach Jose Albornoz to say, ”We’re rebuilding a bit.”

Juniors Liam Stappert and Patrick Bradley are “as good as any one-two we typically get,” Albornoz said, pointing out that the duo consistently logs 16’s for 5k’s.  “After that we’re going to have a gap. Senior Nick LaGreca has improved over the summer and could be low 17’s.”  

Among the more veteran Dons projected to improve while filling the four-through-six spots in the lineup will be Ethan Walsh, Matt Lingenfelter, Danny Sentz and Auggie Brown, with sophomore Jacob Tsakalos rounding out that group.

“Strength this year is that many of these guys have been with the program for two-three years and should improve together.” the coach concluded. “This year’s varsity is going to start with a dozen, but I have a couple of freshmen and sophomores who may make a leap from JV during the season and move into our top seven.  Our five-through-12 runners in the program are all high 18–mid-19 (minutes) runners.”  

Sans last year’s star Charlie Butler (3rd in 2023), Mount St. Joseph will also be looking for a new path to success.

“We have a nice mix of veteran runners to pair with some really talented freshman,” St. Joe coach Kyle Reagan said.  “We have no superstars, like Charlie Butler in previous years, but it wouldn't surprise me if we have our top six guys within 45 seconds of each other. “

Seniors Luca Linsenmeyer, Will Hall and Mason Billings, sophomore Cooper Billings, and freshman phenom Reed Simm are slated to lead the Gaels’ bid to earn their first conference crown since 2016.  

“Our JV team will also be much better than in previous years, speaking to the depth of the program,” Reagan said. “We worked hard over the summer, and the team is very optimistic.”

St. Paul’s returns its top five runners from last year’s squad, and will be getting back promising junior Thomas Mills back from an injury. He posted a 4:25 1600 in track last spring, so he figures to be a threat for the Crusaders.

“We have no seniors and a strong young team,” St. Paul’s coach Keith Culbertson said.

 Archbishop Curley coach Robert Downs said that if he picked one of his athletes to praise it would be sophomore Dylan Frazier, who is staying with the top group in his first year of cross country with the Friars. 

“He dramatically improves fitness each week and he never wants to let the team down,” Downs said. “That energy will be extremely beneficial for our guys this season.”

As a team, Curley has a core spirit that will help them compete in the rugged A Conference.

“One of our biggest strengths is the brotherhood these guys develop to hold each other accountable and work together for success,” Woods said. “With this culture, our freshmen can also adapt well to this environment and make everyone work hard in unison. That will make the competitions mean more to them (while) giving a greater performance.”

McDonogh is another team that lost much of its scoring power because of graduation, first-year coach David Doherty said, leaving senior Nuh Cheema, junior Callum Bullers, and sophomores Robert Heavers, Sam Faloni and Trey O'Shea to step to the forefront.

“The team is strong on camaraderie and fun, and we are working on embracing discomfort: good outcomes are on the other side of discomfort,” said the former Boys’ Latin coach who will be assisted by John Wood this fall. “We'll be running three invitationals during the season, and are working towards a strong showing at the championships.”

Kristjana Cook said that she likes her Annapolis Area Christian School’s team this year as the Eagles look to oust defending champion John Carroll in the B Conference.

“After a solid summer of training, our boys varsity team is led by a strong trio of seasoned runners – juniors Jack Nebbia, Kenny Travis, and our senior captain Jack Marti,” Cook said. “Freshman Jack Longabaugh is already establishing himself as an up and coming competitor, and is definitely one to watch as we gear up for the season.”

Cook added that a team retreat this summer, camping in the mountains in Western Maryland, brought AACS athletes to a new level of camaraderie and friendship. 

“They truly see themselves as one team, boys and girls combined, and their fierce support of each other will be what defines them, win or lose,” Cook said. “We may be small in number, but team spirit runs deep, and seeing the way they spur each other on to be their best gives me great confidence for the year ahead.”

St. Vincent Pallotti has a lot going for it in the C Conference this season, considering that two-time defending individual conference champ Caleb Tenney is back and running at a torrid pace.

The fourth-year runner and and captain is coming off of an outdoor track season where he was tops in the state 3200 and will be competing to be the fastest runner in the MIAA this fall, regardless of conference

His father and coach, David Tenney, said that Caleb opened the cross country season with a big win at Trials of Miles Opening Night in Leesburg, Va.

His 14:55 was the second-fastest time in Maryland state history at that distance, his father added.

“Other key contributors for Pallotti will be seniors Ricky Dixon and Darien Green, who are both second year runners,” coach Tenney said. 

Other than those three, Pallotti’s inexperience will show. 

“Only three of our 16 runners have more than one year of experience,” David Tenney said. “The team has a great work ethic, though, so we should see big gains as the season progresses and the runners get more training and experience.”

Glenelg Country School coach Brian Bonn said that the Dragons are looking to continue the momentum created last season by winning the regular season title before falling to Chapelgate Christian Academy by five points in the championship meet.

That loss sits heavy with returning varsity runners, captain and  top senior, Gavin Lees, and  junior Luke Jackson, Bonn noted.  

Lees finished third last year while Jackson was 15th.  

“The boys’ sights are set on making a run at the title, but graduating three of our top-five runners from last season makes that a tall order,” Bonn said.  “We have three freshmen up to the task — Link Hoewing-Moxley, Max Hart and Teddy Hyland.”