Hopatcong XC's Strength? Numbers

Veteran coach Peter Oesen is very excited about this year’s cross country team at Hopatcong Hight school. Why? Numbers. Both the boys and girls teams have more members on this year’s squad than in any other year with Oesen at the helm. This is his 13th season at Hopatcong. The girls have doubled their roster from last year, boasting 12 runners. The boy’s team has jumped to 16 with the addition of five new freshmen, the largest class in years. Even though there are so many members, none are seniors.

Click here for photos of Hopatcong's 2011 cross country team.

LAST SEASON

Combined, the boys team and girls team won only 3 meets, each beating Hackettstown. The boy’s team also got a win over Kittatinny. The boy’s team finished No. 15 in the Tri-County meet and third in the North 1, Group 1 sectional meet. The girls finished their season at 1-4, 18th in the Tri-County meet and 13th in the state sectionals.

LOOK OUT FOR

Dylan Capwell (Jr.) – Capwell comes off an outstanding spring track season, winning two events at the state sectional meet. A natural athlete with a runner’s body, tall and long legged, Capwell will take over the No. 1 spot on the team.

Alex Lekhtman (Jr.) – Not necessarily the natural runner like Capwell, Lechtman has worked harder than anyone to get to where he is. He will run No. 2 for the Chiefs this season.

Nicole Walthour (Jr.) – Without a doubt, when she puts her mind to it, Walthour is a hard-working individual who by mid-season will be running her best races. On any day, at any race, she could be the Chiefs' number one runner.

Lauren Tregoning (Fr.) – Tregoning starts her high school career competing with two teammates for the No. 1 spot on the team. She shows tremendous potential, having run for the town program as an eighth-grader last year.

Kelsey Spaziani (Soph.) – Spaziani is not known as a runner to any of her fellow athletes. A standout on the softball field and on the basketball court, she was encouraged to try cross country as a way to get in shape for hoops season. Her natural ability will put her somewhere in the top three for the Chiefs.

WHO'S GONE

Joey Prestifillipo – Not only a champion runner but a leader with incredible focus. One of the best long distance runners ever at Hopatcong High School, Prestifillipo is now running at Lehigh University.

Mark Minervini – Minervini’s work ethic and team-first philosophy was unmatched. He is attending County College of Morris and training and running locally.

Melissa Mendez – On the team for four years, Mendez was “a pleasure,” to have on the team, Oesen said, consistently finishing in the middle of the pack.

Colleen Duncan – Disciplined both as a runner and a student, Duncan finished either first or second for Hopatcong throughout the last season. She is attending The College of New Jersey.

COACH'S TAKE

“This is one of the most focused groups that I’ve had in a while and so I just think we’re going to have a more successful season.”  -- Oesen

THEY SAID IT

“I think the season will go well. We have a large amount of runners that are dedicated and cooperative. And we’re working hard, putting in time and effort, taking it seriously. We’re encouraged by having more people in the program.” — Lekhtman

“We have a lot of really good girls on the team and they all put in a good effort. I think we could win more than we did last year.”  — Walthour