Redmen runners will have

Gazette Sports Editor

sports@gazettepublishingco.com

In his second season as Redmen cross-country coach, Lee Booze will be returning six lettermen including 2007 team MVP Scott Ackerman.

Ackerman was a regional qualifier last season and is a senior co-captain this season.

Three other seniors join Ackerman, including co-captain Shane Tobin, Nate Ball, who is a two year letterman, and Kyle Braun.

Booze thinks highly of his senior captains. "They are good leaders. Both guys have been here for awhile."

The 2008 Bellevue Redmen will also feature five juniors, led by returning lettermen Josh Reiderman, Luke Hay, Brett Hensinger, Trent Hundley and Ryan Price.

The Redmen cross-country team will also feature two new members this season in sophomore Tanner Schoen and freshman Luke Loudenslagel.

Key departures from last year's team are Matt Howerton and Josh Robinson.

Last season the Redmen finished fourth in the Northern Ohio League meet and sixth at districts.

Booze would like to improve on both of those standings in 2008.

"Our biggest improvement is that we need to raise the team average from last season. We need to get better depth from our fifth runner on up," said Booze.

"Last season guys were young. or many of them it was their first year running varsity cross-country. he guys have shown steady improvement in the spring and this summer. They are working really hard," Booze added.

The competition will be tough in the NOL this season.

"Willard by far will be the team to beat in the NOL this season. They have a strong roster with a lot of experience from a team that was league champions last season," said Booze.

The cross-country season will begin Aug. 30 at the Chris Green Invitational in Sandusky.