Rock runners are working hard to earn repeat performance in 2010

BY ED WRIGHT
Aug. 18, 2010, 11:15 p.m.

  Salem girls cross country captains Mariam Mroueh and Kara Booms loved everything about the 2009 team, which was low in numbers, but high in achievement.

  One year later, their feelings haven't changed - there's just more to love.

  After winning the KLAA Central Division title and Kensington Conference championship with one of the smallest squads in recent years, the Rocks' roster has expanded to close to 30 girls.

  "I love the potential this team has," said Mroueh. "We trained really hard together this summer - we averaged about 15 girls a day and we ran every day, so it's a hard-working group. Coach (Dave) Gerlach gave us a calendar to follow and we did what it said."

  "Right now we have so many girls who could be on varsity," added Booms. "It's cool to see so many girls who are stepping up. Last year, we had pretty good depth, but the top seven remained the same. This year, I can see more girls breaking into the top seven throughout the course of the season."

  Mroueh and Booms are more than dedicated runners - they're big-time goal-setters.

  "At the end of last year, when Kara and I found out we were going to be captains this year, we were like, 'This what we have to do!'" said Mroueh. "We're both really determined people and we know how good we want to be as a team, so we set high goals."

  "We really want to win the division and conference again," Booms said. "Now that Ann Arbor Pioneer isn't in our region any more, we'd really like to win the regional, too.

  "Our banner in the gym was always empty until last year. We were able to put something up there under division and conference. This year, we want to be able to put something up there for division, conference and regional."

  The Rocks graduated just one - Jordyn Moore - of their top seven runners from last year's squad while adding some talented freshmen - a statistic that pleases Gerlach.

  "I'm very excited for this year," the veteran coach said. "Especially after seeing how hard the kids worked in our training camp. After coming out on top last year, we have pretty high expectations. We talked at camp about how once you're on top, you have a bull's-eye on your back. It's work hard or go home. This is a real motivated group."

  Leading the Rocks' charge this fall will be returning point-earners Victoria Tripp, who placed 31st at the Division 1 state meet (one spot away from earning All-State honors); Ade Jepperson, Kelly Kerwin, Shannon Flynn, Booms and Autumn Burin.

  Among the front-runners to fill the vacancy left by Moore is freshman Kayla Kavulich.

  "She's a very talented young lady, a really good athlete," Gerlach said.

  Others who are knocking on the door for a top-seven spot are Emily Bizon, Alexis Foley, Alejandra Beltran, Mroueh, Amanda Beyer, Phoebe VanHoof and Madison Goodpasture.

  "I have two excellent captains in Mariam and Kara who do a good job of keeping the team on track," Gerlach said. "I can lay the groundwork, but the girls are the ones who have to be motivated to do it.

  "This is a very motivated group of girls." 

Among the candidates to fill Moore's vacated spot is freshman Kayla Kavulich.

  "She's a very talented young lady," Gerlach said. "She's a very good athlete."

  The Rocks open the 2010 campaign at the Sept. 2 Lutheran Westland time trials.

  The first big meet is the KLAA Invitational, which is set for Sept. 11.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.