(Chelsea Update would like to thank Eric Swager for the information in this story.)
The 2016 Chelsea Bulldog XC squad enters the season attempting to maintain the high standard of excellence its known for.
Chelsea is one of the elite programs in the state, having qualified for the state finals 14 consecutive years, one of only 5 teams out of 600 in all divisions that can claim that feat.
Therefore, our number one team goal is to make it back to the state finals and have a fine showing.
The 18 member squad is one of my youngest ever, with only one senior (Liam Heaney), and six juniors. Heaney returns as an all-region runner from 2015, and we will count on him for a big part of our leadership.
Juniors Connor Gilbreath, Jeremy Northrop, and Josh Kowalski were all part
of the state squad from last year, and Matt Rosolowski and Liam Hartsuff are much improved. We are bolstered by the addition of Tom Oates, who was a 4:20 miler from this spring and finished fourth in that event.
There are four sophomores, led by Foster Thorburn and Carson Rabbitt, who were varsity members as freshman last year, and first year runner Jensen Holm. Bennett Proegler handles much of the team’s technical and communication tasks.
The seven freshmen are among my largest classes ever. They are: Niko Fannin, Zander Hartsuff, Joseph Norwood, Sawyer Northrop, Robbie Oates, Nick Matusko, and Will Scott.
I love their attitude and work ethic already.
The season started last week with Cross-Country camp. I had the upperclassmen design the schedule, and we capped off the week with a trip to Crystal Lake in northern Michigan to compete in the Crystal Lake Team Marathon.
Team “Zika”, consisting of Gilbreath, Rabbitt, Robbie Oates, Northrop, and Liam Hartsuff took home awards in the high school division.
This is my 22nd year as head coach, and I certainly could not do it without the help of my family, legendary assistant Coach Mike Holik, and all the parents
and supporters who continue to make this a special experience.
I hope the community can come out and support fall’s most exciting sport.
