STATE CHAMPS — Darien, off to the races in 2011, has seen many run off to new college horizons in 2012.
“Practice has gone really well,” said Wave boys cross country coach Tyson Kaczmarek, who heads into his 10th year in charge. “We are excited for the season particularly FCIACs and states. I know we can run well when it matters most.”
Over the course of a decade Kaczmarek has gone 137-15, seeing the team rise to the challenge most often when it did matter the most.
Last season the Wave was second in its division, second at the FCIAC Championship meet, and won Class L.
Darien was sixth at the open and 10th in New England.
The Blue Wave lost four of its top seven runners but return a deep team.
The one concern is experience.
Top returning runners: Kaczmarek’s take
— Captain Marshall Huffman: the junior returns with a year of track experience under his belt and will be a dangerous runner.
— Captain Brian Davey: the junior has really stepped up as a leader and is expected to make a big impact.
— Captain Peter Kreuch: injuries are finally gone from last year and the junior has looked great at practice.
— Captain Andrew Xiong: the senior will add depth and is a talented runner.
— Captain Sean Lee: also adding depth to an already deep team the senior has looked good in practice.
— Alex Ostberg: the sophomore came into the season in great shape and should be one of the top runners in the FCIAC.
— Colten Appleby: very talented junior who should make a major difference on the team.
— Alex Rayhill: the junior had an excellent summer of running that has him in the top seven mix.
— Ben Olsen: the junior is ready for a breakout season after one year of running.
— Arthur Cassidy: the sophomore has looked great in practice and can make a big impact for the team.
— Timmy Grozier: a very talented sophomore looking to be injury free this year.
— Jack Sparkman: the junior has also looked good in practice and will add depth.
Top newcomers include: juniors Mickey Conroy, James Farrington, sophomores Aidan Loh, Brendan Triano, Carter Scott, and freshmen Jack Murry and Jack Consolini.
“As a whole, we are inexperienced,” Kaczmarek added. “The guys will be in tough positions all year and will have to step up for us to be a competitive team.”
The team is led by Ostberg, after running 4:35 in the 1600 and 9:41 in the 3200 last year.
“He is primed for a monster XC season,” Kaczmarek said. “Alex is running well. He has all the tools to be a very, very good runner.”
The host of juniors make up the team’s core.
