THE CROSS-COUNTRY TEAMS will be led by, from left, assistant coach Dylan Rizzo, senior captain Allen Saini, captain John McKrell, senior captain Lucas Williams, senior captain Andrew Shone, senior captain Kaleigh Weeks, senior captain captain Julia Seelig and head coach Bill Wallace this season. Missing from photo are senior captain Maggie Davidson and assistant coach Joe DiBiase. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — A familiar face will be leading the cross-country teams into a new era this fall.

Bill Wallace is beginning his first season leading the Pioneers as the cross-country teams’ head coach after previously serving as assistant coach for 20 years. He succeeds Joe DiBiase, who retired as head coach last fall after leading the teams for 27 years.

“Taking over for Joe DiBiase has certainly been a weird feeling,” said Wallace. “I have spent the past 20 years as assistant coach and have learned a lot from Joe in that time. We have similar coaching philosophies, so the transition to being head coach has been a smooth one. Joe was nice enough to come back as my assistant. Having an assistant as experienced as Joe is a real asset to the program. He and I work well together, and I think the kids really benefit from that.”

Wallace has also served as the boys’ spring track team’s coach for 20 years. The Lynnfield High science teacher is looking forward to the fall season getting underway.

“Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have been training hard these first few weeks,” said Wallace. “I have seen some real dedication in every practice. They listen well and work hard in practice. I can see both teams having successful seasons if they can stay healthy.”

Girls’ team

The girls’ team concluded the 2020 Cape Ann League season with a 2-3 record. Senior captains Kaleigh Weeks, Julia Seelig and Maggie Davidson will be leading the Pioneers this fall.

“The girls’ team is really close and that has to do with how these captains have chosen to lead them,” said Wallace. “They are all very good at encouraging the younger runners and instilling confidence in them. I think this season is going to be a great one for this team because we have a good mix of veteran and young runners. Having captains like these girls makes my life as a coach a whole lot easier. They know what to do without me having to tell them.”

Wallace said the Pioneers are also welcoming back sophomores Katie Cash and Olivia Goguen.

“The girls’ team is returning some very talented runners and should be a very competitive team,” said Wallace.

Wallace said junior Maddie Daigle, sophomore Viola Wertz, freshman Gabby Bottaro and freshman Kaila George are the Pioneers’ promising new additions.

“We have some new runners that should contribute to the team as well,” said Wallace.

Wallace said the girls’ team’s closeness will serve as one of the Pioneers’ biggest strengths this season.

“The captains do a great job at keeping it light during practice,” said Wallace. “I never have to worry about the girls’ not working hard enough. A lot of times, I need to tell them to back off a little so they don’t get injured. These girls are really competitive.”

Boys’ team

The boys’ cross-country team concluded last year with a 1-4 record. Seniors Andrew Shone, Lucas Williams and Allen Saini along with junior John McKrell are the boys’ team’s captains this season.

“The captains have been doing a great job leading the team and showing the younger runners how it’s done,” said Wallace. “Last year was such a different type of season that most runners on the team do not know what a regular cross-country season looks like. That made it even more important to have good leadership to show these runners how to properly prepare for a cross-country season.”

Wallace noted that the boys’ team is a “young team with some up and coming runners.”

“John McKrell is our top returning runner and he will have to lead the way for the boys’ to have a successful season,” said Wallace. “I believe he has the ability to do this. We also have some returning runners that are expected to contribute. These runners include Andrew Shone, Lucas Williams and junior Angelo DeLuca. We also have some new additions on the team that include junior Fisher Luba, junior Charles Beatrice, senior Jason Yang and freshman Shea McCarthy. These new runners will add some much needed depth to the team.”

Wallace said he has been impressed with how hard the boys’ team has worked in practice.

“The boys’ team works well together in practice,” said Wallace. “The captains do a good job of warming them up before practice and getting a good stretch in after practice. This team seems to be close mainly due to the leadership on the team.”

Upcoming meets

The cross-country teams host Pentucket on Wednesday, Sept. 15, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Pioneers travel to Newburyport on Wednesday, Sept. 29, beginning at 3:30 p.m.