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Sisterhood has Poland runners on course
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By GREG GULAS
With several groups of siblings comprising the Bulldogs’ roster this season, head cross country coach Kim Grisdale’s theme for the upcoming season is a rather simple one – “Run like we are all sisters rather than just friends!”
“We will be extremely competitive with each other in practice and races without any lingering anger. This family mentality will hopefully push us to new heights in our training and racing,” said Grisdale, now in her 12th season as head coach.
There are several groups of sisters on the team this year, including the “triplets plus one,” sophomores McKinsie, Melissa and Michelle Klim, and junior sister, Victoria.
There are also sisters Libby (sophomore) and Ellie Rogenski (freshman), daughters of former YSU star Becky Rudzik. Don’t forget sisters Hannah (sophomore) and Olivia Aponte (freshman) and Lauren (senior) and Sara O’Kane (freshman).
Seniors returning include Cassandra Best, Sarah Lankitus, Anastasia Markota, Sara Pompeo, Viviana Villegas and Olivia Zelinka. The junior class consists of Maura Bobby, Abby Brenoel, Liz Furman, Claudia Gage, Payton Maurer and Nicole Simeonsson.
The sophomore group is also comprised of Anna Barnhart, Madeleine Landry, Rachael Robertson and Elena Yemma with remaining freshman Sarah Comstock, Emily Eckman, Jackie O’Connor, Emily Shields and Tiffany Smith rounding out the roster.
The team opened their season at the Ashtabula Lakeside War on the Shore Invitational with a convincing win over Mentor and Madison. Libby Rogenski took top individual honors (21:09) with McKinsie Klim also in the mix.
Melissa Klim (fourth overall), Michelle Klim (12th), Victoria Klim (15th), Ellie Rogenski (16th), Emily Eckman (19th) and Sarah Comstock (29th) also placed. Poland was the only school to have all of its competitors (21) finish the race.
The Poland boys team returns after winning the AAC White Tier title last season and qualifying for regionals.
Head coach Don Smaltz, who started with the program in 1976, enters his 25th season overall at Poland High.
“We’re a young group that will only get better — that is our philosophy right now. As long as we continue improve like we already have, then this team will be alright,” Smaltz stated.
Three seniors from a season ago, Sean Murphy, Kyle Filicky and Jared Ankerman need to be replaced, while two senior co-captains; Matt Gleydura and Zack Sesnosky are expected to provide much needed leadership.
Two juniors, Brandon Mitchell and Mark Stoner, are also upperclass leaders. Sophomores Greg Haylett and Johnathan Burns, freshmen Matt Slaven and twin brothers Zack and Max Prizant round out the roster.