PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A sophomore and a freshman look to be the leading runners of the Wildcat boys’ cross country team.
Fourth-year coach Saul Nunez said with only four athletes on the roster, Presque Isle will not be able to score in their meets. Instead, he is using this season as a chance to get his inexperienced athletes used to distance running and set the team up for success in future years.
The team will be without three of its top runners from last year as twin brothers Jaron and Ezra Leach wrapped up four-year careers and Brady Castonguay opted not to return for his senior season after being the Wildcats’ No. 1 runner in 2021.
Nunez will be counting heavily on the duo of Ryder Chandler and Valentyn Pickens, who have been the fastest runners during preseason workouts. Chandler competed last season, as did junior Teddy Bemis, who has come into the season in better condition and Nunez is anxious to see the improvements he can make.
The coach is glad to have freshman Noah Parmelee on the squad. The coach said the young runner has demonstrated perseverance and the ability to endure pain.
“The guys like to put the work in and have been making improvements already,” Nunez said. “We still have a ways to go with our conditioning, and getting a feel for pacing, but we really need to use this year to continue to develop as runners and get faster and stronger.
“Just getting some races under their belts will be huge,” he added.
Presque Isle opens its season Saturday, Sept.3 at the Ellsworth Invitational and then hosts a meet at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Sept. 10.
