High school cross country: Seals' coach optimistic

By Brian Holtzapple
For The Daily Item

November 06, 2009 10:31 am

— A lot has changed in the 38 years since the Selinsgrove High boys cross country team last qualified for the PIAA championships.
Gasoline and everything else is four times as expensive thanks to inflation, Germany has unified and the Soviet Union dissolved, and in the White House we've gone from Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon to Barack Hussein Obama.
But one thing has remained the same. When it comes to running in the PIAA meet, all strategy gets thrown out the door.
For Ryan McGuire, Selinsgrove's 27-year-old second-year head coach, winning the school's first District 4 Class AAA title in almost four decades has been a gratifying experience for him and his runners.
And all the congratulations and kudos have also been nice.
Now, the fun and games are over. It's time to get down to brass tacks, and it all begins Saturday.
"Winning the district title has meant a lot to my guys, and to myself just moving to this area and being able to keep the program growing that (former) coach Brian Catherman built up and got up and running," said McGuire.
"It's been nice, but we've been very focused and working hard this week. We lowered our miles, but we increased our intensity and focus to keep our speed and to stay sharp."
McGuire is expecting his guys to go out fast with the crowd and not be pinned in at the back with the slower runners.
Because if that happens, then it'll be a tough day for the young Seals, who are one of only five true Class AAA teams competing in the meet.
"That's the key to a race like this. If you get stuck in a crowd, it's too hard to move back up," McGuire said. "They need to get themselves out and put themselves into position from mile one and just keep on passing from that point and focus on passing people."
High expectations
Coach McGuire expects junior Vince Fadale to pass a lot of people in the race on Saturday.
The three-time state qualifier and two-time district champ is expecting to leave Hershey with a medal around his neck.
Only the top 25 finishers receive medals.
"I feel I'm a lot more confident than the past two years, and I'm hoping to get top-25," said Fadale, who finished 255th in 19:04 a year ago. "I want to go out with the front pack and see how it goes from there and try to hold on.
"It's going to be really crowded, but I'm just gonna tell myself to stay relaxed, run your race and don't lose focus," Fadale added. "Those District 1 guys are going to go out hard, and I just want to stay with the front pack. That's always my race strategy."
Boosting Fadale's chances at a medal is a win he had over Tunkhannock junior Reece Ayers at the PSU Spiked Shoe Invitational in September. Ayers, who finished 8th in the state last year, took second to Fadale, who won in 16:21.
Early success
Fadale also finished seventh at the PIAA Foundation Invitational that was also held on the Parkview Course in September.
"It was a big confidence boost (beating Ayers). I had a good race that day," said Fadale. "I got a feeling for running on the state course (at the Foundation meet) and I had a pretty good time. If I ran that time at states last year I would've placed 40th. I'm in a little better shape now, so I have a good shot at a medal I think."
McGuire predicts Fadale will run well and earn a medal. And for the rest of team, especially the younger runners, McGuire just wants them to run their best and to get some experience for later years.
Because he hopes to be in this position again, soon.
"I just want my guys to go out there and run their best. For some guys who have been there, like Vince, it's the last meet and there's nothing to lose. Just leave it all at the line."
Drawing on experience
Tyler Buranich is also making a return trip to the state meet for the Seals.
A year ago in his first appearance Buranich finished 282nd in 20:23. Both marks are sources of inspiration for the senior.
"I did really bad, so I really want to do better this year, especially now I know what I'm getting myself into," said Buranich. "My goal is just to be happy with my race. I want to do better than last year, and I want it to be my best race of the year."
For fellow seniors Kevin Biallas and Chris Shirk, they are making their first trips to the state meet.
And as members of the team for the past four years, Biallas and Shirk are excited to have been integral parts of Selinsgrove's transformation from a 1-12 team during their freshman years to a district champ and state qualifier today.
"I'm excited. This is my last chance to get to the state meet and I'm happy we're going as a team, too," Biallas said. "I'm a little bit nervous, but a little anxiety might be good for adrenaline."
"I'm looking forward to my first time running at states," said Shirk. "It feels really awesome, and it's really cool to help the team get there."
McGuire knows that the state meet will be an eye-opening experience for some members of his team, and he isn't afraid of them getting a little overwhelmed.
"It's a great atmosphere down there -- 300 of the best runners in the state running," said McGuire. "I'm expecting it to be tough for some, but I think they'll step up and have good races."

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