We were the defending WPIAL champs. The first day
of pracitce: six upperclassme, about 30 underclassmen - not the makings
for a successful season. It came as a surprise to once again reach states.
The two reasons for our success: strong leadership and amazingly good freshmen
runners.
The captains were a mixed bunch. Jared Williamson,
a psycho-fitness man; Adam Kukic - the mature, slacking senior, and immature
joker, Matt King. We soon became compatible. Old traditions were put aside,
discounting SUDA, and new ones were formed. Unfortunately, Matt fell to
a mysterious ailment and could not continue after one month of the season.
The outlook after having lost Matt was bleak. We
still had Jared at #1, and Adam at #2, but who would be #3? Brandon Tung.
Frosh Brandon's talent is immeasurable. Pat Dickinson and Andre Moura rounded
out the top five. As freshmen these runners are bound to improve. Ganesh
Muthappan, Drew Gifford, John Baglier, Rob Csendes, Dan Nguyen, Bryan Bailey,
and J.R. Urish also contributed to the teams success. We won IPSL, and
came in fourth at WPIAL finals, two runners away from going to states.
Brandon, however, did go, after placing 13th overall in WPIAL championship.
[sic]
The season would not have been complete without
several other key events. Mac, great managers, Adam's and Dan's love for
field hockey, other athlete's support, Jared's and Adam's barefoot runs,
J.R.'s science outreach pleas, Adam's wonderful announcements, no initiating,
Brandon and Andre the kleptomaniacs, the team's financial losses, the rainbow
at WRA, and most important, everybody's fear of Satan. Oh, and did anyone
see our team shirts? We seem to have lost them.