After winning three consecutive conference championships, the Ridgefield High girls cross country team had its FCIAC streak snapped by Staples — and its All-American standout Hannah DeBalsi — last fall.
But following his team’s time trials Tuesday evening, Ridgefield head coach John Goetz has reason to believe the Tigers will make a push to reclaim the FCIAC title and also challenge for state championships.
“The top seven (at the trials) were by far the fastest top seven we have had,” said Goetz, whose team finished with a 16-2 regular-season record in 2014. “Five of the girls would have beaten the fastest runner at last year’s trials.”
Based on the time trials, Ridgefield’s top seven to start the season will consist of sophomore Julia Hergenrother, junior Kelsey Bordash, senior Olivia Gorski, junior Ava Kelley, freshman Kasey McGerald, junior Rachel Maue, and senior Emma Hergenrother.
Rounding out the top 10 are junior Ashlyn Marr and seniors Alex Bonfiglio and Claire Phelan.
“The depth is really strong this year,” said Goetz. “It’s obvious that the girls worked hard over the summer and came into camp in shape. I’m fairly optimistic about the upcoming season.”
Ridgefield’s championship chances could strengthen if two runners, junior Haley Greene and sophomore Julia Realander, can recover from injuries and contribute. Greene, who was Ridgefield’s number-two runner as a freshman, has been slowed by shin problems, while Realander is recovering from a calf injury.
“If we can get those two healthy it will make a big difference,” said Goetz. “Haley would be one of our top two or three runners if she was at full strength. We’re trying to ease her back in and hoping she can start running in meets in October. Julia Realander is probably a week or two away from returning.”
Several of the returning runners were among Ridgefield’s top-five finishers (and point scorers) at last year’s FCIAC meet. Bordash finished 12th overall, followed closely by Gorski (14th), Kelley (17th), and Maue (19th).
Greene, who missed the conference championship, led the way with an 11th-place overall finish at the Class LL meet, while Gorski (43rd) was Ridgefield’s top finisher at the State Open.
Now, with Julia Hergenrother and McGerald, a promising ninth grader, joining the top rung of runners, the Tigers should be able to withstand the graduation losses of Hannah Mercorella (11th overall at FCIAC, 24th in Class LL), Cathryn Depuy (21st at FCIACs, 40th in Class LL) and Hannah Fleming (37th at FCIACs) and be a more formidable team this fall.
“We have a chance to be really good,” said Goetz. “If we can avoid injuries, we should be right up there with the top teams in the post-season.”
Notes: Ridgefield finished third at the Class LL championship and sixth at the State Open last year.
Prior to its three FCIAC titles from 2011 through 2013, Ridgefield won five consecutive conference championships from 2003 through 2007.
Overall, the Tigers have won 11 FCIAC titles in program history.
Mercorella, Bordash and Gorski made the 2014 All-FCIAC team based on their finishes at the conference championship meet.
Greene earned All-State honors with her 11th-place finish at the Class LL meet.
The Tigers also finished 15th at the New England championships. Mercorella was 91st overall and Bordash was 92nd overall at that meet.
Julia Hergenrother won the FCIAC freshman championship race, and Bonfiglio was second at the FCIAC junior varsity championship.
Ava Kelley is among the top returnees for the Ridgefield High girls cross country team. – Scott Mullin photo
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