With two straight PIAA Class AA state championship trophies being added to the Central Cambria High School trophy case, the Lady Red Devil cross country team is building somewhat of a dynasty in Ebensburg.
But the Lady Devils can't win a third straight state title can they? It's possible when you consider what they have coming back for the 2009 season.
They have three 2008 Altoona Mirror First Team All-Stars returning in Kelsey Seymour, Kendall Seymour and Ashley Stump.
Kelsey Seymour is a three-time Mirror All-Star who placed second at the District 6 meet and 15th at the state meet. Kendall Seymour, a two-time all-star, placed fifth at the district meet. Stump was sixth at the district meet and 29th at the state meet.
While he has the numbers, coach Randy Wilson, who is 104-3 in his career, knows it won't be easy to threepeat.
One of his main concerns is "handling the pressure that comes along with being the back-to-back state champions and having a target on your back all year."
Wilson won't have the graduated Annie Cekada, who placed in the top 25 at the PIAA Meet three times, including 17th last season.
Six other area runners return as first-team all-Stars in Altoona'a Alexis Ebersole, Sasha Peterman and Lindsey Stacey, Hollidaysburg's Alyssa Beyer, Philipsburg-Osceola's Lauren Simcox and Bellwood-Antis' Emiley Stapleton. All of them qualified for the state meet last season.
Altoona, Bellwood-Antis, Central, Hollidaysburg and P-O combined to go 41-15 last season, and they all have good shots at doing just as better this season with healthy roster sizes.
Below is capsulized look at 13 area teams:
Altoona
Coach: Tabitha Quinn
Number of years as head coach: 13th season
Career record: 58-29
Last year's record: 5-2
Returning starters: Seniors-Sarah Gray, Emily Luciano, Kelsey O'Brien, Taylor Stessney. Juniors-Alexis Ebersole, Jessalyn Johnsonbaugh, Carly Parris, Sasha Peterman. Sophomores-Erin Jacobs, Ashley Lidwell, Danielle Parowski, Courtney Schobel, Erin Sheehan, Lindsey Stacey.
Newcomers: Seniors-Katie Conrad, Nicole Hileman. Sophomore-Nikki Kerns. Freshmen-Carly Port, Anne Keating.
Strengths: "The returning runners' experience, including four girls who have been past state qualifiers, will be a contribution to the overall long-term goals. The girls have a positive work ethic in keeping the team motivated and competitive. With 95 percent of the team members as multisport athletes, they have the background for an intense schedule and practice routine."
Concerns: "With this season, we have a few minor changes in our schedule. The girls will need to focus on bringing together their cross training through some minor injuries or illnesses to sustain their durability, strength and eventually, speed, throughout the season. It is important for the girls to get a sense of their training and racing with each field of racers in the dual meets versus the invitationals."
Overall outlook: "With the added depth of our newcomers, we anticipate some of the smaller gaps to be filled in our running pack through general progression meet by meet. There will be room for flexability for our girls to be competitive, especially in our top four. I can definitely see how the girls' individual improvements throughout the season with be their inspiration as a team."
Assistant coaches: Missy Nedimyer, Kristy Runk.
Bedford
Coach: Michele Fisher
Number of years as head coach: third season
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Last year's record: 2-8
Returning starters: Seniors-Katie Moser, Amanda Press. Juniors-Brittany Deneen, Erin Ferguson, Alex Fleming, Sarah Grimes, Mechaela Taylor.
Newcomers: Senior-Mandy McLaughlin. Juniors-Cassandra Braman, Chelsea Diehl. Sophomore-Leann Grimes. Freshman-Hannah Grimes.
Bellwood-Antis
Coach: Julie Roseborough
Number of years as head coach: 18th season
Career record: 108-80
League: Inter-County Conference
Last year's record: 9-4
Returning starters: Seniors-Allison Derr, Erin Morrisset. Junior-Emiley Stapleton. Sophomore-Hannah Claar.
Other returnees: Juniors-Amanda Miller. Sophomores-Sam Bacza, Morgan Dutrow.
Newcomers: Freshmen-Jael Epple, Sydney Roberts, April Taylor.
Strengths: "Several returning letterwinners and worth ethic and attitude."
Concerns: "We need time for the new runners to develop."
Overall outlook: "We should get better as the season progresses."
Assistant coaches: Sarah Reese, Ron Wilson
Bishop Guilfoyle
Coach: Joe Bilka
Number of years as head coach: 10th season
Career record: 37-51
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Last year's record: 1-7
Returning starters: Seniors-Mary Kantoski, Colleen Kelly, Lauren Spahn. Juniors-Megan Blake.
Newcomers: Senior-Sujin Lee. Junior-Alexis Kasun, Meg Wills. Freshmen-Kristina Slobodnik.
Strengths: "Our returning runners have a wealth of experience. Colleen Kelly will have her best season ever, with a shot at the states supported by Mary [Kantoski], Lauren [Spahn] and Megan [Blake]. We expect a good season. Our newcomers should add depth to the team and add to our success."
Concerns: "We are in a competitive conference, and every race will be a challenge."
Overall outlook: "Our team will perform well if our girls work hard every practice."
Assistant coaches: Damien Bilka, Vicki Bilka.
Cambria Heights
Coach: John Kuskoski
Number of years as head coach: 17th season
Career record: 92-100
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Last year's record: 8-7
Returning starters: Juniors-Erica Gray, Paige Karlheim, Chelsea Kline, Amanda Lacue, Allysa Pagano, Samantha Sherry. Sophomore-Christine Crowell.
Other returnees: Seniors-Victoria Murphy, Alyssa Sclesky. Juniors--Rachel Breth, Jessica Crowell, Ivy Fisher. Sophomore-Megan Bricker.
Newcomers: Junior-Kaitlyn Novella. Freshmen-Lauren Bobby, Haley Delosh, Emmalee Fisher, Leah Gray, Kaitlyn Myers, Brenna Summer.
Strengths: "Good numbers, good work ethic, excellent leadership from captains of last year, potential in new girls."
Concerns: "Trying to close the gap on the powers in the LHAC."
Overall outlook: "We should fare as well as last year or better. We should go over .500 and move up from an eighth-place finish in District 6 to establish ourselves as an upper-tier team."
Assistant coaches: Kathryn Kuskoski
Central
Coach: Jerome Conlon
Number of years as head coach: 15th season
Career record: 158-48
League: Mountain Conference
Last year's record: 9-4
Returning starters: Seniors-Erica Dicken, Ashley Olivieri, Sue Stern, Brandy Wilt. Junior-Alexa Hepner. Sophomore-Lindsey Smith.
Newcomers: Senior-Pauline Bellanger, Sofie May Ranes. Freshman-Alyssa Clark.
Strengths: "The team has a good senior group of runners returning from previous years with much experience, coupled with some new talented, that should keep us in the winning column."
Concerns: "We always worry about injuries."
Overall outlook: "Our goal is to win as many meets as possible and qualify the team, or as many individuals as we can, to the state meet."
Central Cambria
Coach: Randy Wilson
Number of years as head coach: 10th season
Career record: 104-3 (approximately)
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Last year's record: 11-0
Returning starters: Seniors-Morgan Eckenrod, Kelsey Seymour, Mariah Seymour. Juniors-Paige Berdomas, Kendall Seymour, Ashley Stump, Emily Wright. Sophomores-Kalee Collins, Alyssa Phillips, Ellie Wentz.
Newcomers: Junior-Chelsia Nelson. Freshmen-Katie Bracken, Alyssa Brandis, Jesse Brown, Haley Cramer, Samantha Elkin, Kelsey Hagens, Olivia Lipnic, Ashley Smith, Punjari Vyas.
Strengths: "Team size is our biggest strength."
Concerns: "Handling the pressure that comes along with the back-to-back state championships and having a target on your back all year."
Overall outlook: "We would like to repeat as LHAC and District 6 Class AA champs and would like to remain competitive at the state level."
Assistant coaches: Tammy Nagel, Bill Cox, Krista Sossong, Ann Risaliti
Hollidaysburg
Coach: Bill Bravin
Number of years as head coach: 22nd season
Career record: 173-112
League: Independent
Last year's record: 8-3
Returning starters: Juniors-Amanda Beckstead, Alyssa Beyer, Ashley Beyer. Sophomore-Alexis Preston.
Other returnees: Juniors-Catherine Anderson, Rebecca Anderson, Marissa Blyler, Jess Koch. Sophomores-Rachel Bowser, Alisha McCall
Newcomers: Seniors-Laurel Petrulionis, Jenna Supp. Sophomores-Emily Ansley, Tessa Lindsey, Julie Reese. Freshman-Lauren Pheasant.
Strengths: "Young team with experienced runners."
Concerns: "Number of runners and injuries that might happen."
Overall outlook: "Hope for a winning season."
Assistant coaches: Lynette Luke
Juniata Valley
Coach: Delores Gahagan
Number of years as head coach: 25th season
Career record: 154-105-1
League: Inter-County Conference
Last year's record: 7-5
Returning starters: Seniors-Brenna Taylor, Kenzie Clapper, Tosha Anders, Emily Yocum, Alyssa Boardman. Sophomores-Brittany Kurtz, Shawna Kennedy, Rachel Kyper, Sara Myers.
Other returnees: None
Newcomers: Sophomore-Cecilia Grugan. Freshman-Samantha Anders.
Strengths: "We have a nice group of senior girls who want to work hard and provide leadership for the team. We also have a very strong group of underclassmen who have a great work ethic and a lot of talent as well. Our girls should be competitive within our league, and we hope to have strong showings at invitationals and districts."
Concerns: "The girls teams in our area are always tough, so we will have to work hard and push ourselves to be competitive, but the coaches think our team is up to the challenge."
Overall outlook: "We think our girls team has the potential to be very competitive. They have been working very hard so far in the preseason. We hope to continue to become stronger and faster throughout the year, and we look forward to a successful season."
Assistant coaches: Krista McCrum
Northern Cambria
Coach: Denise Carpinello
Number of years as head coach: Ninth season
League: Heritage Conference
Returning starters: Junior-Monica Kuzio
Newcomers: Juniors-Deanna Buck, Alexa Frontino, Alexis Waksmunski. Sophomores-Casey Brown, Liz Cunningham, Leah Paronish.
Strengths: "Drive."
Concerns: "Remaining healthy."
Overall outlook: "Good."
Penn Cambria
Coach: Todd Niebauer.
Number of years as head coach: Fourth season.
League: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Last year's record: 0-9
Returning starters: Seniors-Hannah Brooks, Adrianna Eckenrode. Sophomores-Geena Bruce.
Newcomers: Freshmen-Jolyn Smithmyer, Danielle Sral.
Strengths: "We have a great group of girls who want to work. We only have five, but they work extremely hard, and I think they're going to be very competitive."
Concerns: "Numbers. With only five on the team, I can't afford even one injury."
Overall outlook: "We always want to be very competitive, and I think that will come with time. I think we'll be OK if we don't suffer any injuries."
Philipsburg-Osceola
Coach: Doug Perry
Number of years as head coach: Fifth season
Career record: 30-14
League: Mountain League
Last year's record: 10-2
Returning starters: Seniors-Sarah Komisar, Danielle McKnight, Erica Patrick. Juniors-Kristen Fox, Rachel Knepp, Mary Komisar. Sophomores-Marissa Albert, Lauren Simcox.
Newcomers: Junior-Tess Kitko. Freshmen-Kaitlyn Burge, Jordyn Miller, Briana Rusnak
Strengths: "High number of returning letterwinners."
Concerns: "Managing injuries."
Assistant coaches: Dave Caslow, Kelly Dobo, Robert Thompson
Tyrone
Coach: Tammy Wills
Number of years as head coach: Ninth season
League: Mountain League.
Last year's record: 2-8 overall.
Returning starters: Juniors-Ashley Salyer.
Other returnees: None.
Newcomers: Freshmen-Alyssa Brisbin, Olivia Morrison.
Strengths: "We have three very talented, very strong runners."
Concerns: "We lack numbers. Right now, we don't have enough runners to score as a team."
Overall outlook: "I think the girls that we have are going to do very well, and I haven't given up hoping that maybe we'll have a few more girls out for the team before the season starts."
Assistant coaches: Dave Wiser, Lisa Ingle, Vicky Dillen
