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Canfield runners off to solid start in 2010
By GREG GULAS
After more than 20 years at Struthers, head coach Doug Weitzman enters his fourth season as both the boys and girls cross county coach at Canfield.
He is assisted by Candice Eagon, a first-year member of the staff.
“This year’s teams have worked extremely hard this summer in order to get ready for the upcoming season. As long as we can progress over the course of the year, then we should be OK,” Weitzman said.
The boys finished 13th out of 22 teams in their season opening meet at Canton GlenOak, with junior newcomer Jonathon Hutnyan capturing a 21st-place finish in a time of 17:06.
In addition to Hutnyan, leading the boys squad will be seniors Robby Reed, Jeremy Hammond, Brandon Mirto and Zack Brown and junior Nick Tocicki.
Also expected to compete for varsity action will be freshman Rollin Bresson and sophomore Andy Allen.
“After placing second in last year’s All-American Conference, Red division championships, the boys are looking forward to the challenge of winning the AAC Red division title this year,” he added.
The girls’ team authored a perfect season a year ago, posting a 30-0 overall mark.
They return all varsity members that contributed to victories at the East Palestine Rotary Invitational; Stow Invitational; Mahoning County Championships; Suburban League Championships and the AAC Red division championships.
The girls’ squad, which finished eighth out of 21 teams at the recent GlenOak Invitational — Jen Love placed eighth overall with a time of 19:59 — has three of the area’s elite runners.
They include senior Nicole Tiberio, and sophomores Love and Emma Lunne.
Also being counted on heavily are seniors Jillian Smith and Katie Tiberio; juniors Marla Marucci, Lindsay Tapia and Kathryn Zetts, and sophomore newcomer Jamie Watt.
“This year’s squad is extremely talented and that makes this season full of great expectations. “The flu bug took its toll and cost the girls a chance of sending the entire team to the Regionals a year ago.
“Nicole Tiberio and Jen Love did manage to qualify for the regionals, but would like nothing better than to have the entire team with them this season,” Weitzman added.