Bradford High cross country coach Tom Tessena is expecting a challenging season in 2016.
Tessena, in his 38th season as head coach, picked up his 500th career victory last year as the Owls completed an undefeated dual meet season.
They capped off the season with an upset win over the Clearfield Bison by only four points at districts. The Bison return all their top runners and will be a heavy favorite to take the District 9 AA crown this year.
“We had a tough time last year and we graduated our number two runner in Tyler Nuzzo,” Tessena said. “Our turnout this year was not what we wanted with three members of last year’s squad deciding not to participate. One of these guys was our fifth man from last year. We do have two-time defending champ Logan Caruso returning. Logan became only the second two-time district champ, the other being state medalist Aziz Yousif in 2011 and 2012.”
After breaking all kinds of distance records in indoor track last winter, Caruso experienced some back pain and leg pain. After seeing several doctors it was determined he needed surgery to correct the problem. He missed the whole outdoor track season and was operated on in June.
“He has slowly been getting back in shape but it is has been tough,” Tessena stated. “Logan is a tough competitor and wants to be back in top shape. He has been pretty patient and he realizes that it will still take more time to get back to his high level of performance.”
The Owls have six other letterwinners. Adam Cary is the lone senior.
“Adam had injuries last season that kept him from being a top five runner,” the coach said. “He ran more this summer so we are hoping he can make a big contribution this season. He is currently fighting for a top seven position.
“Our top guy right now is sophomore Vinny Bizzarro. Vinny attended three cross country camps this summer and ran a huge number of miles. We have never had anyone who put in as many miles in a summer before. In just the last two weeks he ran over 150 miles. He has been our leader in practice and will surprise people with his improvement.
“Junior Cade Hayden has run the most miles of the rest of the team. Cade came on strong last year to be our number four cross country guy and placed fourth in the 3200 meters at the district
track championships. Cade made 27 of the 28 conditioning sessions we had this summer. Cade has the confidence and experience to be a big factor in our success this season.”
The Owls have three sophomores who lettered last year.
Danny Fedak was in the top five many times last year.
“He had a pretty good track season and has run a lot more than last year,” Tessena said. “Danny has the speed and talent to be our number four runner all year. He and Cade will be very important if we are to defend our district title.”
David Allen and Julian Pearson also return. They both had some success last year and made progress during the spring in track season.
“David has really put in the miles this summer,” Tessena commented. “He made almost all our conditioning sessions and ran on his own as well. He has improved by leaps and bounds. We are hoping that David is a fixture in the top five. He has certainly been working hard enough.
“Julian did more running this summer than last so we look for him to have a better season as well. He has looked stronger in practice and his confidence level is improving right along.
“Adam, David, Julian and Danny will be battling for those positions from four through seven all year long and these guys will hold our team hopes in their hands.”
Bradford has three freshmen who have been running well this summer.
“Andrew Craft has been a standout for us,” the coach said. “He made almost all of the preseason conditioning and he has been running in the top five consistently. He has been a pleasant surprise.
“Dom Cary moves up from the middle school team. Dom has run much more this summer and it is starting to pay off. Dom will be a factor in the top seven as well.
“Steve Knowlton will also run for us this season. Steve ran in 7th grade and also had a pretty good track season last year. He is just getting into shape and is now recovering from an ankle injury. We think Steve will do well once he gets in shape. He is a hard worker.
“We also have another sophomore, Matthew Stafford, out for the first time. After Matthew gets in shape he could also be a factor this fall.”
Bradford opens the season Sept. 3 at the McDowell Invitational.
“Our focus will be on getting everyone ready for Oct. 29, the District 9 championship meet,” Tessena concluded. “We aren’t going to worry about dual meets or the rest of the invitationals.
“If we work hard and get and stay healthy we could make another run at being district champs.”
The schedule follows:
SEPTEMBER
3 – Erie McDowell Invitational
6 – KANE, ST. MARYS
10 – Red Dragon Invitational
13 – BROCKWAY, DUBOIS
17 – BRADFORD INVITATIONAL
20 – At Brookville with Punxsutawney
24 – PIAA Foundation Race
27 – At Elk Catholic with Brookville
OCTOBER
1 – McQuaid Invitational
8 – Ridgway Invitational
15 – Cuba-Rushford Invitational
18 – At Ridgway
29 – Districts at Ridgway
NOVEMBER
5 – PIAA championships
