These Rocks can Run

Two returning state-qualifiers give Salem cross country team legitimate shot at title

  Side by side, Salem cross country runners Jordyn Moore and Victoria Tripp sprinted the final 100 yards of Thursday's "Blue & White" 5-kilometer scrimmage race, crossing the finish line well ahead of the competition.
  It was a scenario that Salem coach Dave Gerlach hopes repeats itself on a regular basis once the real season commences early next month.
  "Based on what I've seen so far, and the way the girls ran at our camp last week, I think we're going to be much-improved over last season," said Gerlach. "But you never know until we race another team."
  Moore and Tripp are both returning state-qualifiers off a 2008 squad that placed seventh in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association's Kensington Conference.
  "There's a definite change of attitude compared to last year," Gerlach acknowledged. "This team is hungrier than teams I've seen in a long time. We have great senior leadership and the girls really want to win the division.
  "We have a good core group of returning runners and  a lot of newcomers. Half of my team is made up of first-year runners, which I think you can attribute to the addition of the middle-school cross country programs."
  Moore, Rachel Morrison and Emily Willer will serve as the Rocks' captains this fall.
  "The captains not only have to do a good job when they're in the spotlight, but behind the scenes as well," said Gerlach. "It's going to be a tougher job this season because we have so many first-year kids, but I know they'll do a great job."
  Moore is fired-up about her leadership role and the prospects of the Rocks having a stellar season.
  "I think we're going to have a great team this year," she said. "We have a couple of freshmen who are coming in really fast and I think that pushes all the older girls."
  Along with Moore and Tripp, Gerlach expects big things from Kara Booms, Kelly Kerwin, Autumn Burin, Shannon Flynn and Ade Jepperson.

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