FHS boysblending veterans, new faces

The 2007 Fremont High School boys cross country team can't be accused of breaking tradition.

The Tigers have a record number of athletes on the team (55). The roster includes quality, state-tested runners and promising newcomers. The work ethic is also on par with previous squads for Coach Sean McMahon.

“This team won't be a step down in any facet compared to past teams,” McMahon said. “They are very comparable to other teams we've had. We knew in the spring we'd have some big shoes to fill due to graduation, but we've had some junior varsity kids from the past two or three years who have stepped up and done varsity level work or more.”

Others also believe in Fremont. The Tigers, who open their season Saturday at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invitational, are rated second behind Omaha Benson in the Class A preseason ratings.

The Tigers return four runners from last year's team that finished fifth at the Class A state meet.

Senior Jon Ronhovde finished eighth last year at state. After a solid junior track season, he is drawing the recruiting interest of several schools, including the University of Nebraska.

“Jon quietly put together one of the best track seasons we've ever had from a junior,” McMahon said. “He is incredibly tough, physically and mentally. We're not (training) him a whole lot different from last year, but with him being a year older and his increase in talent, he is able to handle it easier. I think that will translate to more success.”

Another state cross country and track veteran is junior Mitch Hunt. He finished 23rd last fall in the Class A field.

“Mitch has only gotten better from last year,” McMahon said.

Jake Smrcina also competed at state last year and is expected to be one of the Tigers' top four runners this fall. He is recovering from a minor injury, but is expected to be running in upcoming meets.

“Jake has been an incredible leader for the team,” McMahon said.

Junior Jose Nuno, may be one of the Tigers' most improved runners.

“He has raised his level up so much,” McMahon said. “He seems to be on the same playing field with Ronhovde, Hunt and Jake.”

McMahon believes the remaining varsity spots will come from a pack of nine runners. The group includes senior Drew Partridge, Bill Poppe and Zach Bridgman; juniors Tim Ciochon, Zach Christensen, Warren Drucker and Nate Nevius; and freshmen Cory Poehling and Ty Hall.

“I'm not saying that someone out of that top 13 couldn't emerge, but that group has really separated themselves with the times and what they are doing each day,” McMahon said. “The guys push each other in a positive way. They make each other better.”

Ciochon joins Ronhovde and Smrcina as the Tigers' captains.

“Tim is only a junior, but he is ahead of his time in the way he is respected by the group,” McMahon said. “They know how serious he is about the sport.”

After winning back-to-back state titles in 2004-05, last year's finish didn't sit well with the Tigers.

“They want to get back to state and get up on that (championship) podium,” McMahon said. “They aren't looking at it as an all or nothing option, but they know the talent on this team. They think they could possibly be there. You could've said the same thing last year, but things didn't bounce our way.”