Nice return policy

Thomas gone, but group of returnees make Canton a team to contend with

  Not long after a grueling nine-mile training run one day last week, several members of the Canton girls cross-country team joked around just outside the school's Phase III building.
  It was obvious that the Chiefs are not only in good shape, but in good spirits as well.
  They should be considering they have several key runners back from a team that fared well in 2008.
  Four-year varsity standout Sarah Thomas has graduated and moved on to the running trails at Grand Valley State University, but several strong striders return to make coach Eric Paul's current contingent a threat to win the KLAA South Division crown.
  "I like the nucleus we have back," said Paul. "We have Bianca (Kubicki) back, who was a state qualifier last year, along with Rachael Brunk and Emily Southern, Katie Grimes and Rachel Rohrbach. That's a nice tight group that should help us quite a bit this year.
  "Last year we started strong but finished poorly after Sarah got hurt. That kind of took the wind out of our sails. But I feel good about this year's team."
  Paul likes the leadership qualities that have been displayed by captains Melanie Kulczycki, Margaret Murphy and Brunk.
  "They're all good leaders and each one has her own particular strengths," said Paul. "They work well together and they're all hard workers. They're all willing to put in the time it takes to get everything done."
  Other runners who should contribute on a consistent basis are Courtney Campbell and Hailee Azizi, Paul added.
  "We have some young new-comers who are going to help us out, too," he said. "Katie Grimes' sister, Ellen Grimes, has a lot of potential."
  Paul mentioned Livonia Churchill when asked who he thought was the team to beat in the KLAA South this fall.
  "Us, Franklin and Plymouth should all be up there, too," he said. "It's too early to tell at this point."

Ed Wright can be reached at [email protected] or (734) 453-1980.