The Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ cross country team, the defending Patriot League Keenan Division champion, is brimming with confidence heading into the new season.
After running the table last season en route to the Patriot League Keenan Division title, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ cross country team is a confident bunch.
“Last year, we went into the season thinking we could win each time out,” said head coach Steve George, who enters his eighth season leading the Panthers. “I think this year that mindset has carried forward. They are putting in the same effort and taking the same approach as last year’s team.”
The faces have changed. League MVP Theo Kamperides has graduated, as have league all-stars Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald.
But the Panthers do return some talent in the likes of senior captains and 2020 league all-stars Gordon Johnson and Nathan Tassey.
“Both [were] top-five runners last year [and] are really inspiring their teammates,” George said. “They got a taste of success last year and are out to prove it was no fluke.”
The sophomore class also has George really excited.
“Logan Bourgelas, Gavin McCarthy and Shane Johnson, all top-seven runners a year ago, are back,” he said. “And we’ve added Alex Kehayias and Ryan Crowley, both of whom have considerable potential. While others returning from last year’s team, Connor McCarthy, Adam Vinton and Andrew Buckley have shown dramatic improvement already. All told, we have 16 boys from the Class of 2024 who will impact our program over the next three years. That’s exciting.”
George said juniors Jonathan Young, James Molito and newcomers, Nathan Scaccia and Shaine Mwicigi should also make an impact.
W-H opens the season Thursday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. when it hosts North Quincy/Quincy.
“I’ve always said the most important tool in distance running is in each team member establishing and working toward individual or personal goals while being fully supported by his teammates,” George said. “If every runner does that, everything else will fall into place.”