Smaller Sharks roster boasting big results
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Sacred Heart ran away with the Monsignor Martin Association All-Catholic cross country title last year but Sharks coach Rod Sarkovics is more impressed with this season's team, which is 5-2 heading into Saturday's All-Catholics. How could that be?

It's because the 2007 team has been running half of the season with only six runners, about half the size of last year's team, and still picking up victories.

"Last year, we deserved to win All-Catholics," said Sharks coach Rod Sarkovics. "This team has worked equally as hard. I'm just as pleased with this team as I was with last year's team (14 girls)."

The Sharks have also responded to adversity. After dropping its league opener to Immaculata, 22-37, on Sept. 12, Sarkovics had each member on the team call him that night to ask if they wanted to stay on the team or quit.

"Every kid called me and said 'Rod, we'll do whatever we have to do to have success," said Sarkovics.

Since the loss the team went 5-1, defeating Holy Angels, 18-42; Nichols, 25-31; Mt. St. Mary's, 26-30; St. Mary's of Lancaster, 18-42; and Mt. Mercy, 19-39. Their only other loss came to Nardin, 20-42.

The team's success has lain in its top two runners, seniors Brittney Gibbons and Kim Patterson. Gibbons won races against Mt. St. Mary's, Nichols, Holy Angels and Mt. Mercy and when she was held out because of an injury, Patterson stepped up and earned first places versus St. Mary's of Lancaster and Nardin.

When they're both racing, Gibbons finishes in about 20 minutes; Patterson is about 30 seconds behind her. Sarkovics feels both can finish in the top five at All-Catholics. The girls race starts at 3:45 p.m. and will be held at Cazenovia Golf Course.

Behind Gibbons and Patterson has been a solid 3-4-5 lineup of seniors Carly Hall, Jule McNamara and Natalie Wasilewski. McNamara and Wasilewski had never run cross country competitively before this season. Hall was a JV runner last year.

"They're running close together, which has made a huge difference," said Sarkovics. "No more than a minute and a half separates them."

Senior Mary Russell has run in the sixth spot. Junior Melissa Naab is on the roster but has an injured ankle.

Sarkovics thinks Nardin will win All-Catholics and his team will battle with Immaculata for second place.

"If we're solid, we'll get what we deserve on Saturday," said Sarkovics. "If it's second place, then we'll definitely deserve second place. We're shooting to come in next to Nardin and break into their top five. With a small team, I consider that a successful season."

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com