Fast 'Cats

Talented trio gives Plymouth reasons to think it can match stellar '08 results

  Can Plymouth's boys cross country team come close to matching last year's undefeated dual-meet record and 12th-place state meet showing after losing sensational exchange student Elmar Engholm?
  Heck, yeah!
  The return of three top-notch performers along with the addition of accomplished track-and-field runner Justin Heck should put the Wildcats right in the thick of the race for the Kensington Lakes Activities Association title as well as a return trip to the Division 1 state meet.
  "I think this squad has the potential to be as good -- if not better -- than last year's team," said second-year Plymouth coach Jon Mikosz. "A lot will depend on our fourth and fifth runners, but our top three guys will give us one of the top 1-2-3 punches in the area. We may not have a stud No. 1 guy this year, but our 1-2-3 guys won't be far behind where Elmar was last year."
  Heck was a member of the Wildcats' track-and-field team's state-qualifying 3,200-meter relay team. A junior, this will be his first go-around with cross country.
  "I talked to him in the spring about possibly giving cross country a shot, but he didn't seem too interested," recounted Mikosz. "So I kind of gave up and figured I'd let him do his own thing. But then he showed up the first day of practice. He's a little out of shape, but I know he'll be there later in the season when we need him.
  Mikosz was thrilled with the condition his team was in when pre-season workouts started two weeks ago.
  "We worked out at McClumpha the other day and the guys exceeded my expectations," said Mikosz. "Initially, I didn't think they had been running as much as they should have been this summer, but they've proven me wrong."
  The Wildcats' powerful 1-2-3 punch consists of Warren Buzzard, Matt Neumann and Joe Porcari. Among those contending for the final two varsity spots are Derek Gielarowski, Heck and Jimmy Eiben.
  "Stephen Balaze is working hard to get in the mix, too," said Mikosz.
  Mikosz said his trio of captains -- Buzzard, Neumann and Eiben -- will provide strong leadership.
  "Warren is the strong, silent type who leads by exampled," said Mikosz. "Last year in track, he qualified for the four-by-eight, the mile and the open 800. He excels academically as well. His GPA (3.97) was third or fourth in the state last year among track-and-field and cross-country athletes.
  "Matt is the one who gets everyone stretching before practice. And if I'm going to be a little late for practice, he's the go-to guy who will get things organized until I get there.
  "Jimmy is the all-around guy. He helps the youngers guys reach their potential."

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