SRV Cross Country Preview: Wolves Looking to Build Off Strong 2009

School: San Ramon Valley High

Sport: Cross Country

2009 Record: 14-0 (Boys), 13-1 (Girls)

Key Returners: Matt DeVries and Kyle Parker; Liz Hebel and Montana Baumann.

Top Newcomer: Jake Pisenti

Key Quote: "Yeah, we are for sure contenders for the league title this year. We ran more miles this summer than we did last year, so we are coming into this season with a lot of confidence." — Matt DeVries.

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It may be an improbable feat for the San Ramon Valley High cross country teams to improve in 2010.

Both dominated in the East Bay Athletic League and the boys squad won the North Coast Section Division I title. That's not to say they are content and not motivated to try and improve on last season's success. Coach Tim Hunter acknowledges the difficult road ahead, but believes it has what it takes to repeat.

"Last year we had a lot of seniors," he said. "This year, we can win if we can sneak up on every one; I hope they think we graduated every one and we have nothing left."

He'll be counting on youth on the boys side. The team will be led by junior Parker Deuel and sophomore Matt DeVries, both top five runners, according to Hunter.

Deuel acknowledged that the graduation of seniors Kevin Griffth, Sean Calaco, Simon Graves, Cody Reed and Ryan Hamill is devastating. He'll most of all miss the leadership they provided and motivation to give his all. But he's excited to be in charge of this young group.

"We have a promising team,"Deuel said. "We've got talent, and as the season goes, it'll be like it's coming out of left field."

DeVries said they have been running hard all summer and is convinced it will pay off. "The confidence comes from training, knowing that we ran more miles (this summer) than other teams," he said after a 10-mile run last week.

As for the girls, they're intent to make the state meet after missing the cut by three points last year. They return everyone from a team that was 13-1 in the EBAL last year and finished third at NCS.

Montana Baumann is still haunted by her not being able to catch up to her closest competitor at NCS. For this reason, she believes they did not go to State.

"(I felt) crappy considering it was pretty much my fault; I think about it every time I run because I don't want it to happen again,'' she said.  "I'm not positive it was my all fault, but it feels like it."

Her first chance to put her past behind her will be on Sep. 7 at the Monte Vista Invite at Oak Hill. 

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