Saint Ignatius’ 2013 Cross Country Preview
Presented By Coach Mike Gallagher '71
Posted By Eddie Dwyer on 8/14/2013
FROM COACH GALLAGHER: We are defending District and Regional Champions, but are returning only two members from last year’s team that finished third in the state, so there are many opportunities for the younger runners to make a difference in this year's squad.
Returning are sophomores Luke Wagner 15:52PR and Tim Trentel 16:29 PR.
Senior captains Elliot Thorkelson 16:28, Jeff Foerg 17:09 and David Meler 17:10 will be leading the Wildcats into the 2013 season and juniors Sean Sovacool 17:06 PR and Greg Miller 17:41 PR bring solid times to this year's squad. They will be counted on contribute to this year's varsity squad and are looking for break out seasons.
Sophomores Tom Sullivan 16:31, Jim Rogers 16:27 and Alex Falkenberg 17:11 will also be competing
for a Top 7 spot on the Varsity Team.
We have 25 incoming freshmen looking to follow in the footsteps of last year's strong freshman class.
Our season starts with a tune up race at Sandusky High School on August 24th. We have a competitive race
schedule including the Tiffin Carnival on September 7th, the Meet of Championships in Columbus on September 28th and the start of the postseason with Districts on October 19th.
After four straight years of Top 3 state finishes, including a 2009 state championship, we are looking for leadership from our seniors to bring a strong, competitive team to the State Championship Meet this year on Nov. 2 at the National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio.
ON THE CORNER OF MEMORY LANE
Here is a look back at some of the highlights and accomplishments by Coach Gallagher’s 2012 harriers.
From reports on the corner last fall
The honors keep rolling the Wildcats' way, as the astute high school staff of The Plain Dealer has recognized senior cross country standout Jack Miller as a 2012 Plain Dealer All-Star.
Jack placed 13th at the Division I state meet in a personal-best 15:42.55. He was third at both the Tiffin regional and Strongsville district meets, was the runner-up at the GlenOak, Midwest Catholic and Legends meets, and finished sixth at the Midwest Meet of Champions. His best time heading into the state meet was 15:56.
Congratulations also go out to Luke Wagner, who received Special Mention from The Plain Dealer.
Coach Mike Gallagher’s outstanding cross country program had four of its gifted harriers – seniors Jack Miller, Vince
Bartram, Pat Scanlon and Joe Arquillo – receive Academic All-Ohio awards. In cross country, you have to run in the state meet and have a 3.5 or better grade-point average to receive such an honor.
Coach Gallagher’s second year letter winners were junior Jeff Foerg and seniors Jack and Pat Politowicz. Third year letter awards went to Scanlon, senior Dylan Lynch and juniors David Meler and Elliot Thorkelson, and Miller, Arquillo, Bartram, senior Jack Fitzgerald and senior Jake Maier received four-year letter awards.
Miller, Arquillo, Bartram and Fitzgerald were also recognized for their work as Coach Gallagher’s captains and Ryan Smith received a four-year senior participation letter.
Coach Gallagher on the 2012 State Meet: The Wildcats raced very well and finished third behind two
very good teams, St. Xavier and Mason. Our average time of 16:06 was the fastest ever by a Saint Ignatius team at
the State Meet. Jack Miller led the squad with a 13th place finish and a spot on the podium in 15:42PR, and All-State recognition. Joe Arquillo followed in 16:03 and Vince Bartram in 16:06, both PR performances.
I came across a quote from the Old Testament that sums up the State Meet. "Let us run with perseverance, the race
marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1.