The expectations are high again at Brookline High School for the boy's cross-country team.
After an undefeated regular season in the Bay State League, a fourth place finish in the Eastern Massachusetts Divisional Meet and a third at the All-State meet, the vision for 2010 is to take those numbers and go beyond them.
According to some national polls, including one done by ESPN Rise, Brookline is ranked 48th on the top-50 list for boy's cross-country teams. So a run at state fame and national recognition is in play this season for the Warriors' runners.
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"We have a tradition now," said coach Michael Glennon. "There is an expectation each year to win a state championship. We are trying to get back to that national level."
Brookline last won a state title in 2007, a season in which they were ranked as high as No. 7 in some national polls. There are only a few faces—although no runners made a mark in that magical run—who experienced first hand what it's like to have that kind of notoriety, but Glennon believes he has a first-rate team coming back this season.
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The top four runners from last year's undefeated team will be returning and Chernet Sisay will be spearheading that group. The junior finished 10th in the All-State meet last season and Glennon expects him to lead the way.
Senior captain Christian Sampson, senior Romey Sklar and junior Mark Perry are all expected to lend Sisay a hand this season and form a group of runners that might not be matched in the state.
"The difference between this year and last year is a lot of our guys coming back were our top runners last year," Glennon said. "Last year we were all good, but this year are up-front guys will be very good. That will make the difference and hopefully that will get us over the top as far as a state championship."
