Last year, the Chesterton boys cross country nearly reached the pinnacle of its sport with a runner-up finish at the IHSAA State Finals.

Gone is a talented group of seniors led by Oklahoma State-bound David Osborn, but the cupboard isn’t bare for head coach Tim Ray as the Trojans open the season tonight in LaPorte at the Jack Bransford Invitational.

“We are going to gain as much experience as we can as soon as we can,” Ray said. “Outside of our top three kids, Manny Orlich, Andrew Morris and Ryan Cutter, our other kids have only run in a couple of meets. And those aren’t anything like the one’s they are going to experience this year.”

Cutter returns after a great track season, while Orlich and Morris have been through the “wars” of the cross country campaigns.

“All three kids can compete with the other top guys in the area,” Ray said. “From one through three, we’re pretty solid. They’ve taken notes from the upperclassmen in the past, but they’ve never had to lead the runs before. They’ll have to grow into that role.

“Andrew and Ryan are probably as good as anybody when they’re in shape. We’ll see tonight if Ryan is ready to take on that leadership role after a good year in track last year.”

The rest of the Trojans fighting for the top seven spots include Tyler Rusboldt, Andrew Kearney, Kevin Miloshoff, Austin Palombizio and Joe Niepokoj.

“Tyler had a real strong summer and Andrew got some experience last year,” Ray said. “Kevin came along nicely in track and continued it through the summer with Austin and Joe figuring in there too.”

Chesterton should find out where they stand in the area tonight when they take on the Slicers.

“LaPorte has everybody back except one kid, so they’ll be tough,” Ray said. “Valparaiso is probably the top team. They’re loaded from 1-14. Those two teams kind of stand out of the crowd right now.”

The Trojans have had the bullseye on them the past couple of years, so it may be nice to be hunting instead of the hunted.

“I think last year’s success can do both, hurt and help us,” Ray said. “The kids that have experienced it and haven’t done the work, just kind of think they can show up and it’ll happen. Those kids last year put in three or four great years of work to get there.

“We’re going in with some high goals, but we’ll have to see.”

Posted 8/24/2010