Conard High School Boys Cross Country Season Preview

At Conard High School, the cross-country team is gearing up for a new season full of challenges and opportunities. After losing several key seniors, Coach Joshua Brown and his team are focused on underclassmen development and building a strong foundation for the future. As with any new season, there are questions about the returning players, new additions to the team, and the overall outlook for the season. To get a better idea of what to expect from Conard High School's cross-country team, we spoke with Coach Brown for some insights. Top Returning Players One of the first questions that come to mind when previewing a team is who are the top returning players? According to Coach Brown, "Our top finisher at the CT State Open last year was senior Grant Bigger." Bigger has proven himself as a strong runner and will be counted on for leadership and performance in the upcoming season. Another standout returning player is junior Will Oksanen, who was the team's seventh man as a sophomore. Coach Brown noted that both Bigger and Oksanen had strong track seasons and have been putting in the work during summer training. Their dedication and experience will be crucial to the team's success this year. Coach Brown also pointed out two new players who he believes will make an immediate impact on the team - senior Grant Bigger and junior Will Oksanen. Bigger and Oksanen both had impressive track seasons and have been training hard during the summer. With their strong work ethic and determination, they are expected to contribute greatly to the team's success. As with any team, leadership is crucial for success. When asked about the qualities he looks for in potential team captains, Coach Brown emphasized the importance of dedication and a strong work ethic. He noted that senior Daniel Clapsaddle and junior Matthew Krol, both new to cross country but with experience in track, have been standing out as potential leaders. Both had productive summers and are ready to take on the responsibility of being team captains. One of the challenges in any sport is building team chemistry and camaraderie among players. Coach Brown emphasized that at Conard High School, the whole team is involved in the captain selection process. This allows each individual to demonstrate their leadership skills and fosters a sense of unity and teamwork.