Head Coach: Justin Kocis – 8th year (Girls : 144-16, Overall : 290-30)
Assistant Coaches:
Jeff Minnich – Assistant Coach
Morgan Weaver – Assistant Coach
Martina Sell – Volunteer Coach
Sport: Cross Country (G)
Team Name: Southern Lehigh Spartans
League: Colonial League
2023 Record: 22-2 : Runner Up Colonial League, 4th District XI AAA
Key Runners Lost:
Celia Knoedler
Key Returning Runners:
Lauren Miller (Jr.) : Leagues (2023 : 7th, 2022 : 13th), Districts (2023 : 11th, 2022 : 21st), 2x State Qualifier (2023 : 154th, 2022 : 163rd). Lauren has become the leader of our team while always excelling in pressure situations, specifically the postseason.
Caelee Lenhart (So.) : Leagues (2023 : 8th), Districts (2023 : 13th), State Qualifier (2023 : 127th). Caelee had an excellent freshman season. She holds the 3rd fastest time on SL’s home course.
Neva Bogert (Sr.) : Leagues (2023 : 25th), Districts (2023 : 25th), State Qualifier (2022 : 215th). Neva displays great leadership while improving tremendously since her freshman year.
Zoe Vezenov (Jr.) : Leagues (2022 : 21st), Districts (2022 : 25th), State Qualifier (2022 : 171st). Zoe has been a top 5 runner for the girls team the past two seasons while being a key contributor to our success.
Erin McMenamy (So.) : Leagues (2023 : 21st), Districts (2023 : 30th). Erin had an excellent freshman year while finishing top 5 on the girls team while exceeding her freshman expectations.
Ellie Kane (Jr.) : Leagues (2023 : 28th, 2022 : 27th), Districts (2023 : 40th, 2022 : 39th). Ellie has been very consistent over the past two seasons while being a varsity runner.
Jacalyn DeSimone (Sr.) : Leagues (2023 : 30th, 2022 : 34th), Districts (2023 : 33rd). Jacalyn is one of the vocal leaders of the team while making excellent strides since her freshman year.
Tessa DiCesare (Sr.) : Leagues (2023 : 39th). While being one of the vocal leaders on the team, Tessa has decreased her times significantly over the past three seasons.
Ellie O’Connor (So.) : Leagues (2023 : 41st). Ellie had an excellent freshman season and made great improvements throughout the year.
Key Newcomers:
Izzy King-Vlass (Fr.)
2024 Outlook: The girls team has a tremendous amount of veteran leadership and experience. Led by four runners with state qualifying experience, Miller (2x), Bogert, Vezenov, and Lenhart, the girls team are primed to compete for a league championship and look to qualify for the state championship meet.
Despite our postseason experience, the girls team is still relatively young with numerous underclassman that will make an immediate impact. The girls team will be tested by excellent competition at the Northampton Invitational, Centaur Invitational, and Paul Short.
