One Bridgeport High School sports team will begin their quest for their second state title Saturday, while another will start the journey to what they hope will be a first. The defending Class AA-A state champion Indians boys’ cross country team and the third place girls’ squad will kick off the 2017 season at the Autumn Classic at St. Marys High School Saturday.

 

The event begins at 9 a.m.

 

Veteran Coach Jon Griffith isn’t going to put all of his hopes on the season into how the team fares in the opening meet. Although he does hope to win, he knows it’s way too early to determine how the team will end up and he also knows that his team won’t be at full strength.

 

“We are going to be a little shorthanded for the Autumn Classic.  Between late summer vacations, illness, and the occasional work shift, we have several athletes … that will be short a practice or two coming into that meet,” said Griffith. “We should have everyone ready for the next meet though.

 

“Overall, we look to be fairly strong,” he continued. “Not necessarily to the level we have been in the past, but with some continued hard work and focus we should be competitive at the state level.”

 

And the same thing could be said about the girls, who much like their male counterparts won’t be at full speed.

 

“The girls are also looking to have a few not ready, but they should be in a little better shape than the boys’ team in that category.  The girls team is also looking strong, perhaps the strongest team we have ever fielded,” said Griffith. “The girls have worked very hard and have some definite goals they would like to achieve this year individually and as a team.”

 

While hard work has the Indians’ program as one of the best in the state, Griffith also knows he has talent. At the top of the talent board is senior Mark Duez, followed by a host of other solid runners.

 

“Mark Duez is leading the boys.  He had a strong year last year in both cross country and track and field,” said Griffith. “Behind him is a group of runners including Coleton Marsh, Tristan Shaw, and Jackson Jacobs.  Then right behind them is an even larger group that includes Hunter Hutson, Cade Robinson, John Dolan, Brady Oldaker, Grant Duvall, among others.

 

“We count on having a lot of these guys running close to each other,” Griffith continued. “Most teams can’t compete with that kind of depth.”

 

Depth is something the girls’ team also has. And that’s impressing considering in years past there weren’t even enough girls on the roster to field a fully competitive team.  

 

“Julia Muller is the frontrunner for the girls’ team.  She is coming off of a huge track season that culminated with a state championship in the 1600 meters. She looks to be much improved from last cross country season,” said Griffith.  “Running close behind her are Emma Campbell, Allison Hess, Jenna Soltesz, Michaela Perri, Haley Chamberlain, Brooke Wagner and several others.

 

“This is the largest and deepest girls cross country team in school history,” the coach continued. “Hopefully that will turn into a very successful season for us.”

 

While Griffith knows it’s early, he also knows there is enough talent to not only make noise in the Class AA-A division, but to be at or near the top when the season concludes. Several factors will play into just where the squads finish.

 

“If we continue to stay healthy, train hard and remain focused, both teams should be among the top five or so in the state.  There are several good teams on both sides of the slate, however,” said Griffith. “A lot of the other teams are extremely well coached and their kids will be ready. It is way too early to project where we will finish, but things are looking pretty positive.”  

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows BHS Coach Jon Griffith, while the bottom two photos show top runners back this year for the Indians. Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.