Girls get set for Cross-Country season

The 2006 season for the Hudson High School girls cross country team should be an interesting and exciting time. Despite the loss of two of the team’s best runners and a third one that was always a steady finisher the Lady Tigers should do well this fall. Gone is all-stater Rachel Ham and her running buddy Chelsey Berlin along with solid contributor Nikki Murphy. “Some teams will be thinking that we won’t be as strong as last year with those three gone but I think we can be just as good,’ said new interim coach Ben Bloom, who is a 2004 Hudson graduate. “I’m not worried about who we lost as I’m more excited about the talent we have coming back as I think we are going to have a real nice team.” Bloom steps into a program that has been one of the best in the area for several years under the guidance and tutelage of its highly respected veteran coach. Hudson should continue its winning ways in 2006 with rookie coach Bloom at the helm and he knows that any coach only wins with talent and Hudson has it. The team was second at the regional a year ago just like the boys and also like the boys they were second in the LCAA to Erie Mason. They just edged the boys for a better finish at MIS during the state meet as they were ninth in 2005. Expect a similar finish at all three levels in 2006. The team has double digits with 11 lady harriers on the team and here is a look at who will comprise the 2006 edition of Hudson Lady Tiger cross country.

A preview of the 2006 girls cross country team

Hudson will have two superb senior runners in Krissy McCaskey and Samantha Tennis. In the state final meet a year ago McCaskey was 62nd for the best finish of any Lady Tiger returning runner. Tennis was 128th at MIS in ’05. “I’m expecting those two to have great seasons,’ said Bloom, who ran two years of cross country at Spring Arbor University along with one year of track.

Lauren Shaffer was in the top seven a season ago and look for her to do even better in this her senior season. “I’m looking for her to have a successful final year of running for our team,’ said Bloom, who was an outstanding runner for Hudson back during his prep days. Another senior who will provide depth is Claudia Katke and perhaps Charity Troutt will help if she decides to run this season.

The top junior and one of the team’s best runners will be junior Emily Austin who battled injuries a year ago. “If she stays healthy and runs like she is capable of I think she will have a fine season,” Bloom said about his standout junior who missed the 2005 state final meet. Taylor Haber and Katie Grob both are juniors and both will be out for the team for the first time. Bloom expects Grob to push for a spot in the top seven from what he has witnessed so far of her running ability. A sophomore who did very well as a frosh is Cassie Bailey and she returns with promise for a strong sophomore campaign. Bailey was in the top seven and ran at MIS last November but look for her to have an even better year in ’06. Molly Johnston is the team’s second sophomore and she will provide depth to the squad.

If she is half as good as her sister than there is a lot to be excited about when the name Liz Austin appears on the roster for the Lady Tigers. “Liz ran well in middle school and I expect her to be knocking on the door to break into the top seven or so,’ said Bloom, who was notified less than two weeks ago that he would be in charge of the team until its veteran skipper can return. The final team member is freshman Whitney Pauken who will add depth to the team. “I have noticed a good attitude from the girls in what I have seen so far this summer and they are excited as am I about getting this season going,’ said Bloom. “We want to continue the winning ways of one of the areas most successful programs in recent years and I think we can do that. “I know its a big challenge but I think I’m ready to lead this team. We have five very solid runners and it should be wide open as far as the sixth and seventh spots so that should make practices and meets exciting and competitive.”

Season Outlook

Hudson was second to Erie Mason a season ago and wants to battle the Eagles for the top spot in the LCAA again this fall. Hudson should be able to stay ahead of county rival Blissfield for at least one more year. After getting a runner-up spot in the division IV regional at Ella Sharp Park last year look for Hudson to be at least as good as that this season. Can the Lady Tigers crack the top ten at MIS in November for the second year in a row? Bloom thinks so and he is upbeat about the upcoming season. “We have a good nucleus of runners and we should be near the top in the league, county and regional meets,’ said Bloom. Hudson heads to Tecumseh on Saturday for an 8:30 start in the annual Lenawee County Preview meet. The home opener will be Tuesday, September 5, as Hudson hosts the early bird Hudson Invite. Not to be confused with the annual Hudson Booster Invitational to be held in October. “We may surprise some teams with how well we do this year and the girls are working hard to have a successful season.” Since Bloom sees no doom about his losses from last year’s team it should be both an interesting and exciting season for the Lady Tiger harriers in 2006.
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