Sussex Academy runners ramping up for 2024 season

Cross country at Sussex Academy is serious business.

“Last year, the boys and the girls were both Henlopen Southern Division champions; our expectation is to do that again,” said Seahawks coach Jay Diaz. “Beyond that, both groups were undefeated in what we like to call dual-meet regular season – we’d like to keep that streak going.”

The girls will be going for their third Henlopen Conference Championship in a row during the 2024 season, but Diaz thinks the boys can make some noise, too.

“For the girls, we return experience with Katya Geyer, Makenna Blades, Riley Moriarty, Taegen Forester and senior Bri Sordi,” Diaz said. “That group of four is going to be real, and there's a couple of girls right on their heels as well.”

“My team goal is for us to continue being Henlopen Conference champions,” Sordi said. 

Sordi said she loves her team and has met her closest friends while running, a familiar sentiment on the squad.

“What I enjoy the most is spending time with everyone; just like running easy and having the time together,” said senior Natalie Roblero Chavez.

Classmate Peyton Stanislav hopes to help her team improve by lowering her times. 

“My personal goal is to break 21:30 this year,” Stanislav said. “I’ve been above 22 the past couple of years, and I want to get under that.”

“Right now, the boys look like they're going to be led by Ryan Moody, Duncan Winger, Josue Laurore, Harrison Dabbs – four experienced guys who put in a lot of miles in the summer,” Diaz said. “I don't see one of them; I see that four-pack.”

Seniors Winger and Dabbs hope to break the 17-minute mark while inspiring their teammates.

“I just want to raise up the team – it's my last year here – and just see what we can do together,” Winger said.

“My team goal is to help the new guys grow and get better,” Dabbs said.

Laurore echoed the desire for team improvement and Winger’s fondness for the Sussex County Championships at Sandhill Fields.

“We have a lot of competition in regard to Cape, but ultimately, if we can challenge them, like make them run faster, or anything in that realm, that would be great,” Laurore said.

Diaz said traditional powerhouse Lake Forest, perennial problem Indian River and an up-and-coming Laurel squad are just some of the hurdles of the 2024 season. At the conference level, Caesar Rodney and Cape Henlopen will be the toughest groups to conquer. 

Sussex Academy will be off and running at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, at Killens Pond State Park, battling 19 other teams at the Lake Forest Cross Country Festival.