JIM THORPE

Head coach - Drew Benyo (27th season)Assistant coach - Marie RosahacDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 10-0 (Schuylkill League Division I Champs, 2nd place in District 11 Meet, 12th place team at PIAA State Meet).Key Losses - Christian Fields, Zachary Nace, Jake McGeehan.Key returnees - Jonathan Condly (Sr.), Jake Saxon (Sr.), Nathaniel Fields (Sr.), Jian Gentile (Jr.), Ben Saxon (So.).Others to watch - Matt Miller (Sr.), Jason Montemuro (Jr.), Jerry Hauck (Jr.), Chris Valdez (Fr.).Outlook - Jim Thorpe will return strong leadership from last year's record-setting team. While it will be almost impossible to replace Fields (#2), McGeehan (#3) and Nace (#5), the Olympians will benefit greatly from the return of Condly, last year's Times News Cross Country Male Athlete of the Year. JT will once again look to be competitive in the Schuylkill League, in addition to making noise at Moravian Academy and Schuylkill Haven Invites.Quotable - "We have the very best runner in the (Schuylkill) League in Jonathan Condly. We have an outstanding No. 2 in Jake Saxon. What we really need is for one of the others to move up strong at No. 3. If we can do that we should be in a very strong position all season long. We also need everyone to stay healthy," Head coach Drew Benyo .LEHIGHTONHead coach - Erica Pagotto (2nd season)Assistant coach - Jennifer TracyDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 5-7Key Losses - Benjamin Ronemus, Christopher Windbeck, Jacob Bailey.Key returnees - Michael Blacketter (So.), Trent Frey (So.), Luke Fisher (So.).Others to watch - Christopher Martino (Sr.), Joshua Johnson (So.).Outlook - With Pagotto in her second year at the helm, the Indians should continue to make progress in 2014. Blacketter was one of the best runners in the Mountain Valley Conference last year, so it will be interesting to see what the sophomore can do in Lehighton's first year of competition in the Schuylkill League. The new league will give the Indians new courses and competition, which should keep things interesting this season. With a number of underclassmen on the roster, Lehighton should be a team to watch both this year and in the future.Quotable - "During the summer we reminded our athletes, 'Summer miles equal autumn smiles.' I hope all the mileage they put in during the summer pays off this fall," Head coach Erica Pagotto.MARIANHead coach - Jeremy Dormer (6th season)Assistant coach - Robert Legath, John BoyleDistrict 11 Class - ALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - N/AKey Losses - Nick Hopeck, Graham Wolk, Phil DeSantis.Key returnees - Connor Roberts (Sr.), Matt Greenfield (Sr.)Others to watch - Aaron Srinizasan (Fr.), Eddie Pulaski (Fr.), Zaccary Roberts (Fr.), Joseph Delash (Fr.), Henry Kreisl (Fr.), Michael Witczak (So.).Outlook - The Colts should contend this season with the help of several talented newcomers. Srinizasan has been leading the team through summer conditioning, and Dormer is hoping the freshman continues to progress, ultimately developing into one of the best in the league. Marian will also be counting on the rest of the squad to run well behind Srinizasan to be in contention at the end of the year.Quotable - "I think we could end Minersville's run (as District 11 champions). We have the talent, it's just a matter of our guys coming together and closing that gap. I would love to send a team to Hershey, and I think we have the potential," Head coach Jeremy Dormer.NORTHERN LEHIGHHead coach - Dave Oertner (33rd season)Assistant coach - Beth Case, Amy Zeiser.District 11 Class - AALeague - Colonial LeagueLast year's record - 10-16Key returnees - Gavin Kemery (Jr.), Aaron Hofmann (Sr.), Gage Christ (Jr.), Nate Snyder (Sr.), Matt Pender (Sr.).Others to watch - TJ Dooley (Jr.), Daniel Belfonti (So.).Outlook - Northern Lehigh should be a bit deeper this year with the additions of TJ Dooley and Daniel Belfonti, as both are expected to be in the mix for spots in the Bulldogs' top-seven. Northern Lehigh has a legitimate front runner this season in Gavin Kemery. Runners two-through-seven should be fairly close in ability and could push each other to improved performance. The Bulldogs will need to close the gap between their first runner and the remainder of the team if they plan to challenge the elite squads of the Colonial League.Quotable - "The goal for the team is to finish in the top half of the league. If things go well, we could perhaps challenge the very top teams in the league. I expect the team to be much improved this season over last year," Head coach Dave Oertner.NORTHWESTERNHead coach - Chris StitzelAssistant coach - Tim ChurettaDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Colonial LeagueLast year's record - 24-2Key Losses - Ryan Cerrone, Collin Furchner.Key returnees - Brayden Heller (Sr.), Alec Consuelos (Sr.), Josh Kromer (Sr.), Matt Grim (So.), Jacob Steidinger (Sr.).Others to watch - Anthony Vennera (So.), Zach Hancharik (Sr.), Elijah Jones (Sr.), Isaiah Jones (So.).Outlook - The Tigers have what it takes to win the league crown and repeat their District 11 Class AA championship, which the team rode to a 14th place finish in the AA race at the PIAA Cross Country Championships in Hershey. If some promising newcomers develop and close the gap at the top of the order, there's little reason to think Northwestern won't be the class of the field once again in the Colonial League and district in 2014.Quotable - "Our expectations are to defend our District 11 title. We have a solid three up top, but our Nos. 4 and 5 runners need to close the gap. Bangor will be tough again and so will be Notre Dame and Wilson," Head coach Chris Stitzel.PALMERTONHead coach - Jeff Minnich (14th season)Assistant coach - Kurt EckhartDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Colonial LeagueLast year's record - 10-16Key Losses - Brendan Lutton, Chris Labar Hoffman.Key returnees - Zach Svetik (Jr.), Carter Waibel (Jr.), Tyler King (Jr.).Others to watch - Kody Kolnik (So.), Jagr Andress (Jr.).Outlook - Palmerton will have a veteran, junior-oriented team, so experience with distance running will not be an issue. Unfortunately, the Bombers will struggle with depth and numbers, so health will be key throughout the season in order for the team to contend and improve. Palmerton will see what it has early on after its first invitational at Moravian Academy, where the Bombers will be eager to get off to a fast start against some of the best teams in the district.Quotable - "I feel that experience will be the biggest calling card with this year's team. I'm hoping that our many juniors will now start to round into their own and lead the team, not only this year, but next as well," Head coach Jeff Minnich .PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach - George Fair (16th season)Assistant coach - Rick RimpleDistrict 11 Class - AAALeague - Eastern Pennsylvania ConferenceLast year's record - 10-2Key Losses - Mike Sucic, Patrick Rimple, Will Anderson.Key returnees - Seth Slavin (So.), Tom Ciaccio (Sr.), Joe Phillips (Sr.), Khai Samuels (Sr.), Billy Milburn (So.), Chris Curtis (Sr.), Seth Todora (Sr.).Others to watch - Gabe Sullivan (So.), Bryan Iadisernia (Jr.), Isaac Quintero (Sr.), Keith Staats (Fr.), Chris Schwenk (Sr.).Outlook - Despite a few losses from last year's team, Pleasant Valley should remain a contender in the newly-formed Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The Bears return Slavin, last year's Mountain Valley Conference champion, who was also a state qualifier a season ago. Pleasant Valley should also benefit from many runners coming off a solid track and field season this past spring. The talent on the team is undeniable, but how the group transitions to a new and highly competitive league could be the key to the season.Quotable - "With continued leadership from veteran runners, the large number of freshman and first year runners will see what is required to be successful in league and district competition," Head coach George Fair.TAMAQUAHead coach - Tom Kanger (12th season)District 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 6-4Key Losses - Nicholas Digiglio, Jordynn Fatzinger, Dustin Sabol, Zachary OliveriaKey returnees - Andrew Tite (So.), Adam Melnick (So.), Dakota Boyer (So.), Jacob Gursky (Sr.), Raymond Kinder (So.), Joseph Mellott (Sr.), Joseph Nortavage (Jr.), Joshua Ambrose-Manness (Sr.).Others to watch - Brad Clemson (Fr.), Isaac Miller (Fr.), Alec Roseland (So.), Brandon Rex (So.).Outlook - Despite being a young squad, the Raiders have shown impressive drive and commitment throughout the summer months that should pay dividends later in the season. Tamaqua has dedicated runners who want to be successful and should give stronger teams a solid run this year. If the team progresses as Kanger expects, it should have some pleasant surprises out of its younger runners this season.Quotable - "If we can group close, we can give the division teams a push in every meet," Head coach Tom Kanger.WEATHERLYHead coach - Jonathan Kiddish (1st season)District 11 Class - ALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 4-5Key returnees - Brett Kelly (Sr.), Bob Gillott (Sr.), Cyrick Thomas (Sr.), Michael Nemshick (Jr.), Dillon Bizarre (Jr.), Evan Kunkle (So.), Shane Coll (So.), Christopher MacNeal (So.).Others to watch - Joel Hinkle (Fr.), Jonathan Arthur (Fr.), Traig Dempsey (Fr.), Ryan Gillott (Fr.), Robert Pressler (Fr.).Outlook - The Wreckers appear to be a team on the rise under first-year head coach Kiddish. Weatherly returns almost its entire varsity lineup, and the team should also benefit from a strong middle school program that has a number of talented runners that could contribute for many years to come. As a senior, Kelly looks to be one of the leaders and the top runner on a Wreckers squad that should do well in the Schuylkill League this year and well into the future.Quotable - "With the outstanding talent of those returning next year and with the incredible talent the junior varsity runners have, the dream of a championship will be lived within the next few years. Perhaps more than once," Head coach Jonathan Kiddish.