Houston, TX – American Rock and Roll Band Three Dog Night said it best, “One is the loneliest number.” That was how Strake Jesuit cross country runner Greg Casar felt last year when he made the trip to state alone without his teammates.

“Last year I was eighth in regionals and I was the only one of us to advance to state,” Casar said. “Our team received fourth and the Top 3 advance go to state. I wanted the entire team to go with me last year.

“This year state is our main goal.”

According to Coach Mike Kerley, 2006 is the year for the Crusader team. Kerley has been coaching many of these athletes for years and said this is their chance to make it happen.

“Fortunately, I have coached many of these kids for three years,” Kerley said. “The 2007 class placed ninth as sophomores and fourth as juniors. Now we have to raise the bar.”

And the bar has been raised significantly. So high that Kerley decided to stay in Houston the entire summer to work with the team.

“We ran all summer and practiced longer runs so that the kids would be in better shape for competition.,” Kerley said.

The Crusader team has definitely felt the heat this summer. Not only from the Texas sun, but from the extended workouts and practices.

“Some days we run the 4K threshold runs,” Casar said. “Threshold means we run as hard as we can for as long as possible. We have also increased our long distance running to 10 and 12K.”

With longer practices and more intense workouts, the need for team unity is critical. And the Crusader cross country team sets a prime example.

“These guys are so close,” Kerley said. “ All 12 of them do everything together. They love each other and really care. That really helps because it is like an added bonus.”

One of the team captains for the team is senior Robert Ontko. Kerley said he is a great leader for the Crusader team.

“He (Ontko) is an awesome example for our team,” Kerley said. “He is the kind of athlete who is at practice early. He is top in his class and is a well-rounded student.”

As far as academics, the cross country team sets the bar for the entire school. The team average is a 3.8 (on 4.0 scale) and many of them have maintained a 4.0.

With the leadership of Ontko and Casar going into 2006, the Crusaders are poised for an exciting season.

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