Coach Excited About Bobcats' Prospects

Tran Longmoore

One of Whiteford’s cross country teams will need everything to go right to accomplish what they did last year. The other should be much improved.

Last year, for the first time in school history, the Bobcat boys’ team qualified for the state meet at Michigan International Speedway. But the Bobcats graduated three seniors, and one of the juniors left the team to play football.

Coach Jim Hojnacki was able to recruit three boys, giving him a total of five, which will allow him to compete in the league meets and weekend events.

“I’m really happy with my five guys. I think that if we stay healthy and improve, we have a chance to go back to MIS,” Hojnacki said. “But it won’t be easy. We’ll need everything to go right.”

Leading the way for the Bobcats is Dylan Wilkerson, whose best time is 18:38. Hojnacki said Wilkerson should make the All-TCC team and return to MIS as an individual even if the team doesn’t.

Luke Cline and Josh Overmann are the team’s other seniors. Overmann is an athletic runner who is returning after a year away from the program.

“The year off is going to hurt him a little bit, but he’s a very nice runner who has a lot of room to improve once he gets some mileage,” Hojnacki said.

David Schmidt and Elliot Wollam are two first-year runners. Hojnacki said both boys have showed strong dedication to the program.

Hojnacki said he’d like to see the boys’ team match last year’s fourth place finish in the TCC.

Last year’s girls’ team also finished fourth in the TCC. But “Hoj” thinks much better things are ahead for the team this year.

As a freshman, Ashley Daniels qualified for the state meet at MIS.

“She’s a great runner who will only get better,” he said.

One of the reasons why he’s optimistic about her improvement is because she’ll be pushed by freshman Rachel Fisher, who ran a half-marathon as an eighth grade student last year.

“Rachel is going to be chasing Ashley all year. I’m looking for both runners to be easily under 22 minutes. In fact, I’m confident that our school record (21:15) set by Maureen Gibbs in 2006 will fall this year,” Hojnacki said.

Taylor Kiefer is the team’s third best runner, based on last year’s times. Hojnacki is also counting on the team’s lone senior to be a leader.

Kaley Floriana is the team’s only junior. Marissa Broadbeck, Brandi Eischen and Halee Gramms are the team’s sophomores. Hojnacki expects that Fisher will lead a large freshman contingent that should bolster the team’s depth. Also running are Grace Hojnacki, Paige Long, Devon Wilkerson, and Clairisse Rickert.

With Daniels, Fisher and Kiefer leading the way, Hojnacki believes the team has the ability to compete for the TCC title and qualify for the state meet.

Tran Longmoore