By Alex Frazier
The Suburban One League has a new look this year that will impact the three conference races.
North Penn, which traditionally has vied for the National Conference title moves to the Continental League and in the process, Council Rock North, which over the years has been one of North Penn’s biggest rivals, shifts back to the National, along with Council Rock South and William Tennent.
Central Bucks South also vacates the National and moves in with sister rivals C.B East and West.
Norristown leaves the Continental and replaces Quakertown in the American. Methacton leaves the SOL entirely for the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
National Conference
Council Rock North and William Tennent should be the cream of the crop. Veteran North coach Cliff Robins gives the Panthers the early nod, but don’t count out the defending Continental Conference champions. The Indians finished seventh at states last year and expect to move up this year, though they don’t have their usual depth. North will rely on Julie Fricke (second in SOL, seventh in districts and 41st at states last year), Bethanie Kruman (67th) and Lindsay Rheiner (53rd).
“It should be a good, solid league,” said Robins, in his 30th year as Rock’s coach.
William Tennent returns its entire team, which had a shot of beating North last year. The Panthers missed out on states last year as a team, but Anne Areias and Ashlee Haslett went as individuals, finishing 79th and 134th, respectively.
Pennsbury could surprise some teams this year. The Falcons return their entire team, including Allison Ludwick, who finished 92nd at states. Keep your eye on her because she had a breakout spring season in track, winning the district championship in the mile.
Council Rock South may also surprise some people. Though the Golden Hawks have no superstars, they are an up and coming team. Senior Jillian Uzdzinski will lead the young runners.
Neshaminy returns state runner Laura Histand (106th). Senior Christine Esposito hopes to make her last year a prosperous one.
Abington coach Nicole Williams has built a respected track program and is in the process of doing the same in cross country.
Bensalem and Harry S Truman will continue to build their programs to be competitive with the rest of the league.
Continental Conference
This conference is very tough to call as there are easily four or five teams that could rise to the top.
Perennial power North Penn won the National Conference last year, placed fifth in districts and was 16th in the state meet. The Maidens return Lauren Bond (43rd at states) and Heather Selheimer.
Hatboro-Horsham has long been a strong Continental team. The Hatters return Kaylee Irwin, who is one of the best runners in the league. She finished 60th at states last year. Sarah Rae (97th) and Michelle Kraske will also make the Hatters dangerous.
Both C.B. South and C.B. West return four strong runners. South’s Emily Chapell finished 85th at states and will lead Kristen Myers, Meredith Fox and Taylor Goldsworthy in quest of a league title.
West brings back Shannon Stirdivant, Alexandra Gervais, Virginia Jones and Laura Gundry.
Souderton, C.B. East and Pennridge all return three runners of note.
Becky Kratz of Souderton is the highest placing SOL runner back. She came in 39th. Teammates Alexis Yoder and Kelsey Cameron will make the Indians a formidable team.
East returns Jenny Guidera, Michelle Blum and Meg Elgin, while Pennridge will look to Nicole Mehlman, Marie McKenna and Janelle Ketterer.
Quakertown has a potential star in Megan Rhyner who went to states in track. Bryanna Parsons will also add depth to the team
American Conference
The conference once again should be a three-team race among defending champion Upper Dublin, runner-up Plymouth Whitemarsh and third-place finisher Wissahickon.
The American Conference lost two of its stronger teams in Methacton and Quakertown, which finished fourth and fifth in the conference, respectively. Norristown comes in as a growing program.
Upper Dublin lost its best runner, which gives the Colonials some hope to contend. Plymouth Whitemarsh has one of its largest teams ever and returns league champion Katie Gorman, who is only a second year runner. She will be pushed by Shannon McCullough. PW has never won a league title and never beaten the Cardinals, who will look to Dana Lockard (69th at states) to fill Kelsey Rose’s shoes. Gina Ranieri will also bolster Upper Dublin with her experience.
Wissahickon has a new coach this year, but the Trojans have a long-standing tradition in running and with the return of Michelle Rudolph, Rose Giardina and Maya Mudamdi cannot be taken for granted.
Upper Merion and Chletenham will fall somewhere in the middle of the pack. Cheltenham has no returning superstars, while the Vikings can boasts of Jessica Merone, who placed 89th at states last year.
Upper Moreland, Springfield and Norristown will fall at the bottom of the league. The Golden Bears and Springfield did not score at the league meet last year as Upper Moreland suffered an injury, and the Spartans did not have enough runners. Norristown has struggled in the Continental Conference but may have more success in the American.
Predicted finishes
National Conference
- Council Rock North
- William Tennent
- Pennsbury
- Council Rock South
- Neshaminy
- Abington
- Bensalem
- Harry S Truman
Continental Conference
- North Penn
- Hatboro-Horsham
- Central Bucks South
- Central Bucks West
- Souderton
- Pennridge
- Central Bucks East
- Quakertown
American Conference
- Upper Dublin
- Plymouth Whitemarsh
- Wissahickon
- Cheltenham
- Upper Merion
- Upper Moreland
- Springfield
- Norristown
Preseason SOL Top Five Teams
- Council Rock North
- William Tennent
- North Penn
- Hatboro-Horsham
- Upper Dublin
SOL Top Five Runners
- Julie Fricke, Council Rock North
- Becky Kratz, Souderton
- Kate Gorman, Plymouth Whitemarsh
- Lauren Bond, North Penn
- Lindsay Rheiner, Council Rock North
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