The 2020 Bradford Owls Cross Country team will have many challenges to face this year, with only eight athletes out for the team.

This is the smallest team in recent memory, as five members of last year’s team chose not to return. There are four returning lettermen who are seniors, however.

Ryan Cottillion was Bradford’s top finisher at Districts last year with a third-place finish. He also qualified and ran in the PA State Meet the three previous years.

“He has the ability to earn a district title,” head coach Tom Tessena said of Cottillion. “Only Punxy’s Aiden McLaughlin, who finished second by 12 seconds, stands in his way.”

DuBois also features some strong runners who will figure into that first-place finish.

“We need Ryan to be the guy who always takes on the other team’s best runner,” Tessena added.

Aiden Wright returns after lettering the last two seasons. He will serve as a co-captain along with Cottillion this year.

Wright had a very good summer, according to Tessena, and is in the pack of four runners up front.

“He is a good leader and is great at encouraging our younger runners. We are going to need consistently strong races from him if we are to contend with Punxy and DuBois this season,” Tessena said.

Wright finished 13th at Districts a year ago.

Gabe Mitchell returns for a shot at his fourth letter, and has made the state meet two previous times.

Mitchell finished 12th at Districts last year.

“So he is capable of doing much better this year,” Tessena noted.

The fourth senior is Quentin Minard, who 17th last year and has earned two letters over his career at Bradford. According to Tessena, Minard is recovering from some early-season injuries, but is beginning to make progress toward rejoining the top of the group.

“We need him to continue to move up and go after a top five position,” Tessena said.

The team features no juniors or sophomores, but does have four freshmen. Two of the newcomers are already in the top four runners on the team.

Ian Pilon was one of the best middle school runners anywhere last year, according to Tessena. He only lost to 3 runners the whole season. He placed second at the McQuaid Invitational, and placed no worse than second at seven invitationals.

“He will challenge Ryan for that top spot and make sure there is no letdown or complacency in the lead pack. He is currently in the No. 2 position,” Tessena said.

Leo Paternity is in the top four as well. He and Wright battle every day for third man, Tessena says.

“They push each other and never let down. Leo and Ian led our middle school team to an undefeated season (10-0), five big invitational wins and two second-place finishes. These guys are fun to watch,” the coach added.

The third and fourth freshmen, Evan Elmore and Luke Caruso, also played big roles in that team’s success. Elmore was always in the top five and Luke was the sixth man.

“They are both working at adapting to the longer varsity distance. Evan is challenging for fifth place and is looking good. Luke is working hard at improving his times each practice,” Tessena said.

And despite the tumultuous nature of this year’s offseason, Tessena was pleased to report strong workouts from his runners, even as they weren’t sure there’d even be a season.

Like all fall sports we had to prepare for a season that didn’t look like we would have. We had 30 conditioning sessions that were well attended. The guys had important questions I had no answers for… But they always came to work,” Tessena said. “When the regular practices started they worked even harder.”

As such, Tessena feels the outlook for the season is good, and the Owls are capable of challenging DuBois and Punxsutawney for D9’s top spot. That is, if they can overcome their lack of numbers.

“I expect good things out of this group, but our depth remains a question mark,” Tessena noted.

This season marks Tessena’s 42nd year as head boys coach to go along with his 50 years as the head track coach.

The Owls begin their season today with a home meet, which is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. with the girls varsity race, followed by the boys varsity, and finally the middle school combined race for boys and girls.

Spectators are limited to parents and volunteers. They are asked to arrive no earlier than 4:15 and enter from Bolivar Drive and Bigley Avenue and park in the school parking lot.