Sweet Home boys cross country sets high goals
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Senior Paul Mangold captains this fall's Williamsville South varsity boys cross country team. Photo by Joe Eberle

Sweet Home's varsity boys cross country team finished third at last year's Section VI Championships but fifth in ECIC II at 5-9.

Coach Michael Lauria has loftier goals for his team this season.

"Our goals are to move up towards the top of the division and finish towards the top at sectionals as well," said Lauria. "Many individuals have set their sites on finishing in the top five at the sectional meet."

Senior captain Jacob Hagen along with seniors Ryan Poley and Tim Heavern should lead the team.

"Jacob is a solid captain who brings six years of running experience," said Lauria. "He has continuously improved and his work ethic and dedication motivates other athletes on the team."

Senior Rob Kurzdorfer and Matt Cobb, juniors Mike Bakowski, Anthony Alfonso, Jonathon Lo Presti, and sophomores Isaac Hagen and Donnie Daniels round out the team.

Sweet Home 2006 Schedule 9-23 at East Aurora Invitational (East Aurora High School) TBA 9-26 at W.S. West .............. 5 p.m. 9-30 at McQuaid Invitational (Genesee Valley Park) ........ TBA 10-3 at Orchard Park w/Clarence .................................................. TBA 10-6 at Town of Amherst Championships (Sweet Home) 4:30 p.m. 10-10 at North w/Lancaster (Bassett Park).............................. TBA 10-14 at Alden Invitational (Alden High School) ........................ TBA 10-17 Frontier.................... 5 p.m. 10-21 at Clarence Invitational

(Akron Falls Park) .............. TBA 10-21 at Clarence Invitational (Akron Falls Park) .............. TBA 10-28 ECICs (East Aurora High School) .................................. TBA 11-3 Section VI Championships (Elma Meadows) ................. TBA

Williamsville South

Senior captain Paul Mangold leads the Williamsville South varsity boys cross country team this fall.

Mangold was team MVP and is a returning ECIC Division II Second Team all-star.

"As a captain, Paul brings four years of running experience and great leadership qualities to the captain position," said South coach Chuck Godfrey. "He leads the effort and attitude of the team in practices and meets."

Other top returning South runners are juniors Dave Quinlan, in his third year, and Alex Podvezko and sophomore Kyle Townsend, who Godfrey said have showed great improvement over last year.

Quinlan finished 20th at last year's Section VI Championships. It was his best run of the year and the team's highest finisher in several years, Godfrey said.

Godfrey said sophomore John Stark is probably the most promising of the newcomers but freshman William Freeman may be right behind him. Seniors Stephen Belle and Max Kagan add much needed team depth, Godfrey said.

Godfrey said the goal for the team is to be more competitive in the division and sectionals, and continue to improve throughout the season.

"The best attribute has been their great attitudes, work ethics,

and competitiveness," said Godfrey. "Everyone has been working hard to try to improve."

South finished 4-8 in ECIC Division II and 12th of 18 at sectionals.

The Billies opened Saturday at the 17th annual Franklinville Invitational at Ischua Valley Country Club. Godfrey said everyone ran well with Mangold leading the way with a 43rd place finish in 18:38. Quinlan was 68th (19:07), Townsend and Podvezko were 111th and 113th (19:56), Stark was 144th (21:10), and Belle was 176th (24:58).

They competed Tuesday in the Don Hall Memorial Classic but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press.

South 2006 schedule 9-26 Amherst (Grover Cleveland Golf Course)................. 4:30 p.m. 9-30 at McQuaid Invitational (Genesee Valley Park) ........ TBA 10-3 at Iroquois w/East 4:30 p.m. 10-6 at Town of Amherst Championships (Sweet Home)........ 4:30 p.m. 10-10 Lake Shore, Starpoint (Bassett Park)...................... 4:30 p.m. 10-14 at Alden Stampede (Alden High School) ........................ TBA 10-17 W.S. East w/Pioneer (Bassett Park)...................... 4:30 p.m. 10-21 at Clarence Fall Classic (Akron Falls Park) .............. TBA 10-28 ECICs (East Aurora High School) .................................. TBA 11-3 Section VI Championships (Elma Meadows) ................. TBA

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com