MORGANTOWN — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin likes to say, when referring to his team, “The standard is the standard,” and the same can be applied to both the girls’ and boys’ cross-country team at University High.
For several years now under coach Ed Frohnapfel, the Hawks consistently finish at or near the top at the state meet, and last year was no outlier, as the boys’ team captured its second straight team championship, while the girls’ unprecedented run of five straight crowns was derailed when they finished second to rival Morgantown.
According to Frohnapfel, UHS’s consistent excellence definitely stems from a cultural phenomenon, a classic case of success breeding success.
“The younger kids at the middle school level read about what kids like (two-time state Champ, and No. 8-ranked high school runner in the nation) Josh Edwards is doing,” the veteran coach said, “and then they see him during our workouts, see how hard he works and there’s no doubt that it rubs off on them, as well. It makes a coach’s job easy when his most talented runners are also the hardest workers.”
Last year’s state runner-up, senior Rocco DeVincent, embraces the leadership mantle that he shared with fellow senior Edwards.
“Of course, we’re very excited about our chances for winning our third straight title,” he said. “That always our goal every year. But it’s also exciting to see the younger runners, especially the ones that obviously love the sport and clearly want to get better. The seniors always do our best to encourage them, let them know that they’re supported, and that they can become part of a great tradition.”
While the girls’ team lost a boatload of runners to graduation, junior Shelby Davis and the rest of her teammates still have lofty hopes for the year.
“We are definitely young this year,” she said, “with no seniors and a bunch of freshman and sophomores. But that doesn’t mean we don’t think we can get back to states. We’ve been the favorites almost every year, so we’re looking forward to maybe being the hunter instead of the hunted this season.
“But no matter what happens, it’s just so great to be back. Getting reconnected with everyone, watching the younger girls grow and improve — everyone on the team feels so fortunate for the opportunity to be a team again. UHS cross-country is like a big family for ever since middle school, and as an upperclassman, I love having the chance to help us build up again — and of course, to run faster, too.”
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