Morristown Girls Cross Country Team Embarks On A New Course

After graduating five from its seven-member team, head coach Kevin Rooney is preparing to start from scratch this season, intent on rebuilding the girls varsity cross country team.
 
In his 14th year at the helm, Rooney said of last year's graduation, "It's the biggest loss our team has ever had."
 
Only two returning starters–sophomores Caitlin O'Kane and Clarice Bourland–were among the 12 who came out for the team's first practice on Monday, Aug. 23.
 
"Even though we lost a lot of our varsity team I am hopeful because a lot of the new runners show potential," Bourland said. "With hard work and coach Rooney's help I believe we will grow into a great team."
 
They will have a lot to live up to. Morristown girls cross country teams have earned winning records the last 14 seasons. Rooney said a lot of talent rested in last year's squad. Behind senior Gale Kinney the team captured third in the Morris County Tournament and a 8-5 season record.

"She was one of the best in the county," Rooney said of Kinney.
 
As for this year, the newcomers' skills have yet to be assessed.

"We just had our first practice. Mainly freshman and girls that haven't ran before came out," Rooney said. "It will take about two weeks to make my lineup."
 
Time trails begin on Aug. 30, but a varsity team will not be decided for another two weeks, just in time for the start of the season, when Morristown faces Piscataway and Dunellen at 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick.
 
"Initially our biggest match-up will be ourselves," Rooney said. "We will need to focus on developing good habits and building blocks for the future, everyday going out there acting like we're training for the state championships, with that intensity, acting like winners. In time it will become a self-fulfilling prophesy."
 
Highlighting the changes marking the start of this season, the cross country team has a new home course. Dual meets will be hosted at Greystone Park in Parsippany. Rooney said Greystone is larger and grassier compared to Freedom Park in Randolph, where the team previously competed.
 
"It's more of a path accommodating for runners. It has more open fields and rolling grass compared to our old field, Freedom Park, which was similar to running around a track," Rooney said.
 
Both of the teams veterans said they embrace the changes and are optimistic about their teammates the incoming potential.

"I'm excited to run on the new course," Bourland said. "It's good to change things up."

"So far the freshmen have shown themselves to be hardworking and dedicated," O'Kane said. "We lost a lot of people, but we're still going to try as hard as last year."