2004 Westfield Girls Cross Country Preview

For many high school students summer vacation is a time of easy living andcarefree days, filled with vacations, barbecues and trips to swimming pools andthe beach. But the runners at the top track programs like Westfield know thathard summer workouts in the searing heat is what makes the difference when thecold November winds usher in the championship meets.

Even though they recovered strongly last year from their first dual meet lossin 83 matches to win the Union County championship, the Westfield Girls CrossCountry team seemed to have extra focus to work harder this summer according todistance coach Jen Buccino.

“While losing the dual meet streak was extremely disappointing to the girlslast year, it also made them stronger. They have an intense desire to maintainour team's tradition of success that was set by the girls that ran before them. They are well aware that they have competition to face, and they respect thetalents of their opponents,” said Buccino herself a championship road racer.

”They worked hard this summer, worked hard at running camp in the Poconos, andhad a strong showing at our first week of formal practice. They know that tobe the team that wins comes down to who worked the hardest and wanted it themost. and they are willing to do all that they can to be that team,” addedBuccino who assists long time head coachThomas Hornish.

Buccino credits her four senior captains, Annie Onishi, Sarah Masel, Ali Rodinoand Katie Cole-Kelly for inspiring the team during the summer. “They workedvery hard organizing fun runs every day to accommodate all kinds of summerschedules that the kids on the team have,” said Buccino. The Blue Devils lost Deenie Quinn, Dorothy Chou, Mary Kate Maher and IrinaSheremetyeva from their top eight runners but have a wealth of returning talent and a multitude of eager girlsvying for the other top spots. Onishi, Meg Driscoll, Rachel Barrett and KimLegones lead the returnees.

Driscoll and Onishi along with Emily MacNeill weremembers of a championship Blue Devil four by 800 relay team last year. MacNeill would be a top runner on the team except that she co-captains thesoccer team as a returning all Union County sweeper. Buccino accepts that not every good cross-country runner competes.

”Yes, there are track athletes that are playing other sports in the fall, thatwe would like to have on our team. And yes, they would probably benefit fromthe distance running we do in cross-country during the winter and springseasons on track. However, we do not begrudge them their talents in othersports, and can accept their decisions to play something else during the fallseason,” said Buccino.

Onishi and Driscoll are leading the workouts but Buccino happily sees a largepack of girls pushing them.Among them are veterans. Erin McCloskey, Jillian Hobson, Carly Oliff, and JayneRuotolo. “They worked hard this summer in hopes of earning a varsity spot thisyear,” said Buccino.There was also a strong core of freshmen that moved through the ranks andgained valuable experience not only last season, but also in track, and shouldhelp add depth to this year's team.

They include Jen Danielsson, NicoleDiBenedetto, Ayn Wisler, Beth Budnick and Meg Buttrick. There are also some new additions to the team that are proving themselves daily at practice, andcould prove to be key players as the season progresses, senior. Anne Siwulec,junior Caitlyn Berkowitz and freshmen Marissa Mumford, and Rose Driscoll, Meg’ssister. The Blue Devils open their season in the St. Dominic's Invitational on Sept11th at Lincoln Park. Their first dual meet is Sept. 15th against Irvington,Newark East Side and Elizabeth at Branch Brook Park in Newark. Home meets areheld at Tamaques Park

Katie Egan-New Coach

Author, Thomas Wolfe said, "You can't go home again," and for many of us that's true, but for Katie Egan it has only taken two years to prove Wolfe wrong. Egan, a 1998 Westfield High School graduate and 2002 Colby College alumnus will be returning home to coach the Blue Devils Girls’ Soccer team succeeding Pete Giordano, one of the finest coaches in the state, who retired after a 13-year reign, with a record of 210-50-17, which equates to a .758 winning percentage.

At the tender age of 24, Egan already has an impressive coaching resume after a successful two-year stint as head varsity coach at Gill St. Bernard’s(GSB), a private school in Gladstone, NJ. In her first year the team went 10-6 after having won only four games the prior season. The team also won a first-round Somerset County game— no small feat for such a small school and earned Egan the 2002 Star Ledger Coach of the Year.

The following season Egan upgraded the schedule “to make us a more credible team.” Although the record dropped to a respectable 7-7 record, the team made it to the NJ Independent School Tournament Prep “B” Finals where they lost to Morristown Beard.. “Overall, it was a great position to step into and begin my career, “ said Egan who also coached SSC, a club based out of Gladstone, where she was assistant coach with an under-16 girls team.

The fourth of six children and the only girl, Egan became the first member of her family to attend Westfield. Her three older brothers attended St. Joseph’s of Metuchen but Egan may have started a trend as her younger two brothers also stayed home. Youngest brother Brendan was a two time all Union County soccer player who has followed his sister to a Maine University at Colby’s Division III rival, Bowdoin.

“Being the only girl had some perks, like getting my own room,” said Egan with a laugh.
“ But growing up with 5 brothers was great-- there was always something going on at our house. I couldn't imagine it any other way! In some way, they have all helped me become who I am today, especially when it comes to competing. I always had plenty of girls around, especially since I played on so many teams,” added Egan.

“ I have never felt like I missed a sister growing up. People are always amazed that I have so many brothers, and usually ask me how I managed to survive. My parents are always quick to point out I had no problems holding my own. In fact my dad always says, "Five boys and one girl, that makes it even!"

Like Brendan would later do, Katie played soccer and ran track all 4 years in high school. At Colby College her senior year, she was captain of the team and received the Coach’s Award for her leadership and playing skills As a sophomore she tied the record for assists in a single season.

She is honored to be replacing Giordano who she played for at Westfield. “ He leaves as a well-respected and well-liked coach., “ said Egan.

“I am really honored to be the head coach of this program. Westfield has always had a tradition of excellence in their soccer program, and I hope to uphold that ,” said Egan.

As coach she is hopeful of bringing more of an offensive approach to Westfield. “In recent years, WHS has had some great defensive play. I am hoping to add more of a direct approach of attack. Solid defense and tenacious attack are what make the good teams great. I am lucky to have some great players at both ends of the field,” added Egan.

Egan will be attending Kean University full-time this year to obtain a teaching certificate in English K-12. She is hoping to complete her studies within a year so she can begin applying for jobs in the district.

Egan believes she has the right mix of Westfield playing experience and out side coaching and playing to enhance her adjustment to coaching the Blue Devils.
“I am hoping that the fact that I grew up in this town, in this program, will be helpful. I know what these girls are going through, both on and off the field. I think with high school sports, it is really important to see the whole picture, not just what’s going on at practice or games,” said Egan.

“ High school is tough because you have a very limited amount of time with a large group of players. It is difficult to get them to mesh as a team in only 3 months. By being able to see the big picture, I am hoping that I can help build a team that works well with each other.”

Take that Thomas Wolfe!