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Schools

Trojan Runners Hope to Build Lasting Endurance

After sputtering in North Coast Section meets, Terra Linda High's cross country team put in some offseason work to strengthen their legs for the long haul.

Coach: Bruce Phinney will start his 17th year of coaching Terra Linda High's boys and girls varsity cross-country teams. There are no junior varsity or freshman teams.

2009 Highlights: Phinney said that both teams performed well throughout the season, but by the time the runners got to North Coast Section meets, they were tired and sick. He said that six runners on the Trojans' girls team came down with a flu, and another one couldn't warm up before the race. Phinney said the two teams were pretty good, but the expectations may have been a little too high.

Returning Players: Most of the athletes from both teams are returning this year, much to Phinney's delight. On the boys team, seniors Jimmy Connolly and Matthew Velangis, junior Dylan Carr and sophomore Kieran Perez will lead the crew. 

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For the girls, seniors Erica Morelli, Maddie Tight and Emily Malon will bring experience from last year's team, along with sophomore Kaitlin McKeogh.

Connolly was a first-team all-Marin County Athletic League selection last year and McKeogh earned second-team honors as a freshman.

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"If anything is going to happen, it's going to happen this year," Phinney said. "Talent is coming in on both sides — boys and girls. I think they're there. What athletes are going to be there next year are going to be able to pick up the slack."

The teams will also be bolstered by a couple of newcomers. Phinney said he's excited to see what junior Scott Granlund and senior Jessica Kelly can do in their first year on the cross country squad.

Phinney said that in an effort to prevent last year's burnout at the end, he put more of an emphasis on conditioning over the summer. He's hoping that the hard work the teams put in over the summer will mean their legs can go the distance when it really matters.

"Last year, we didn't train much during the offseason and I got the guys to commit to an offseason summer program," Phinney said. "The team came in this year much more fit. Right now, as we get ready to start racing, the track lookout has been neat."

Phinney also applauded the tight-knit feeling among his girls team, which he noted is one of the best he's had since he started at Terra Linda. He said that some teams he coached in the past seemed like just a collection of individuals, but this team is pretty close.

Phinney said he'll look back at this year's squad as one of his favorites.

"From our front girl to our back, you can't tell the difference — they're one unit," he said. "This year, the boys and the girls, I absolutely feel like they're a team. They'll actually fight for each other."

The Trojan runners will start the season with the MCAL Opener on Sept. 8 at Stinson Beach.

 

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