VAN WERT -- The 2008 Van Wert boy's cross-country preview is listed below. 

VAN WERT BOYS CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW

HEAD COACH: Mark Altstaetter - 6^th year at Van Wert. Previously coached three years at Parkway.

ASSISTANT COACH: Mark Sanderson - 5^th year at Van Wert as an assistant.

LAST YEAR: Overall record - 108-47 (all meets)

                        Western Buckeye League: 4^th

                         District: Third

                         Regionals: 8^th

****Jacob Bagley - state qualifier last year as a sophomore. His personal best time in 2007 was 16:40.

**** Kenton Holliday - just missed qualifying for state with a 19^th place regional finish (top 16 advanced to state). His personal best time in 2007 was 16:48.

RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: 5

QUOTES:

"This year's team has a great deal of potential. We lost a couple key performers from last year. But, I feel that we actually have a little more depth this year."

"Jacob (Bagley) came on late last season for us. We knew he was very capable of making it to state. Kenton (Holliday) and Jake (Bagley) should be two of the top runners in the region. Along with Brian Easley (junior) and Nick Kallas (senior), we are hoping the younger guys can step it up to form a very solid pack. There is a lot of potential there."

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Luke Brubaker (freshman); Luke Strick (sophomore); Nathan Simson (sophomore).

WBL OUTLOOK: "The WBL will be very strong - just like it was last season. Our league will probably be tougher than our district - since Celina and Wapak are Division I and will not be in our district."

"Defiance, who went to state in 2007,  will very tough to beat. Celina returns a very strong pack, as well as Wapakoneta who returns everyone from last year."

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