2016 Season Preview:
Lots of new faces as Hamilton Harriers get set for a new season
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| early season practice |
The boys team will led by returning veterans Ryan Alicea and Lowell Pierrette. Ryan is a returning senior and is ready to start his second year as captain. He has done nothing but improve over his last three seasons, and there is no reason not to expect that to continue in 2016. Lowell returns after a spring track season where he proved himself to be Hamilton's premier hurdler. This XC season will hopefully prepare him to step up to the challenge of the steeplechase next spring, but that's a long way off. Both of these veterans are looking sharp during these early season practices and both are hoping to secure state meet berths in November. Also coming back for a second season is Jeffrey Quispe. Quispe looks ready to race and he has impressed Coach Aiello with his early season fitness. Clearly, he was not just sitting around all summer. It looks like the team will also have returning veterans Jonathon Medina and Luciano Aprile to take shots at being in the scoring 5. Stephen Semidey rounds out the crew of seniors. Plagued by injury problems during his running career, Coach Aiello is sure that he can be a top 5 guy if he can stay healthy. Probably one of the most exciting things about this season is the addition of athletes on loan from Hamilton Baseball. Last year we were joined by Corey Field. This year Corey is returning with friends: Christian Torres, Brandon Machado and frosh Chris Yeosock. This influx of athleticism can do nothing but help the team going forward. Perhaps most exciting on the guys' side is that crew of new freshmen. Baseball's Chris Yeosock has been running for a couple of years and looks set to lead the frosh squad. Chris is joined by Savallya Boyini, Joe Delgado and Brennan Giglio. Not too much to say about the young guys yet, but I think you will be hearing their names a lot as the season progresses.
On the girls' side the Lady Raiders will be led by Captain Naomi Imaizumi. Also in her second year as team leader, Naomi has proved herself to be Hamilton's premier distance runner. Naomi is backed by seniors Maddy Diaz and Jennifer Vargas. Maddy, returns for her second season of XC; Jenn is back for her fourth season (two at Good Counsel). Both veterans' experience and enthusiasm will be key factors in how the girls perform this year. The girls' team will also be greatly helped by a Hamilton track hurdler. This time it's Megan Mirtil. Megan is clearly one of the most athletic women at Hamilton and she can only be a big plus for the cross country team. Returning sophomore Lauren Williams rounds out the squad, for now. Lauren is known for giving her best at all times and she is always ready to add bit of comic relief to any practice or meet. Coach Aiello is hoping to see some more girls to appear when school starts. This year Keio Academy has five girls and we are going to need to have a full squad to race them.
Check here weekly to see how things turn out...
