SCHOOL: Reese High School
YOUR NAME: Brandon Gnatkowski
POSITION: Head Coach (1st year)
Cross Country
CONFERENCE: Greater Thumb West
Please answer extensively
Your 2020 record and highlights— and thoughts.
Boys- 3rd in Conference, 3rd in Regional, 26th at State Meet.
Girls- 1st in Conference, 1st in Regional, 7th at State Meet.
2020 was an interesting year with all the Covid protocols, but the team did what was asked of them and we achieved our team goals of getting both teams to compete at the State Finals. The girls finished seventh at the State Meet which tied for the best team finish in the school’s history.
Name some key athletes that have graduated and your remembrances on their contributions to the program.
Macey Hawken, Jack Sirianni, Jake Nierode and Sam Spencer were our four seniors from last year’s team. All four of those athletes put in the time, effort and lead by example. They will be missed, but they passed along their leadership roles to this year’s team.
Please mention several athletes who will be key performers…name, year in school, position. Your expectations from each of these athletes this season. (Feel free to attach a roster if one is available).
Boys:
Seniors- Wilbert Haines, Roderick Rigby, Isaak Wurdock-Swift
Juniors- Brandan Hopp, Cooper Shores, Wyatt Wojdula
Freshmen- Phineas Houghtaling, Dominic Putman, Nathaniel Seney, Owen Wurdock-Swift
Girls:
Seniors- Grace Brown, Allison Galsterer, Aubrey Putman, Brooke Sweeney
Juniors- Ellymae McCoy, Nicole Raymond
Sophomore- Jenna Sweeney
What expectations do you have of your team this season?
Both teams have a great amount of experience. Every one of these kids are hard workers and they hold each other accountable and that makes them work harder each day. Both teams are aiming to contend for a Conference Title.
What will be your team’s strength?
These kids show up daily to work hard and get better. Their determination to be their best makes coaching them so much fun.
Your conference: How strong is it and who would you consider the league favorites? Where do you see your team fitting into the league race?
The Greater Thumb Conference has talented runners on both sides for boys and girls. Our teams are looking to be in contention for the Conference Title.
How has it been to have a preseason like this with the lessening of COVID restrictions?
It was nice to be able to meet up with kids throughout the preseason. The kids enjoyed being able to run together.