Northern Kentucky coaches have little doubt who the top team will be this year. Covington Catholic received 10 of 12 first-place votes and is the choice for preseason No. 1 in The Enquirer's coaches' poll. The other two teams receiving first place votes were Bishop Brossart and Conner.

COACHES POLL

1. CovCath (10) 117   2. Highlands 67   3. Bishop Brossart (1) 61   4. Ryle 57   5. Boone Co. 54   6. Scott 50   7. Holmes 46   8. Campbell Co. 28   8. Newport CC 28   10. Dixie Heights 23   10. St. Henry 23

        The Colonels seek their eighth straight regional title, but they must rely on new faces to accomplish the goal.

        “Our biggest weakness will be experience. We will have to count on men who have little or no varsity experience,” Covington Catholic coach Jim Johnson said. “The only place where we will not have new runners is in the distance events.”

        Seniors Mike Applegate and Mike Albanese and juniors Todd Metzger and Chris Davis return as regional champions. They should provide a solid core for the younger runners to learn from.

        2. Highlands: The Bluebirds are in search of a fourth straight regional title. The past three years Highlands has competed for a Class AA state championship but came up short each time. They finished second in 1998 and 1999 and third in 2000.

        Senior Brent Glover returns as one of the top shot put and discus throwers in the state. Glover won the discus title last year with a throw of 149-6. He finished second in the shot put with a throw of 48-10.

        Other key returnees include Clem Fennell, Matt Barnes, Nathan Clinkenbeard and Mike Slawter. Fennell was a state qualifier in the 400 and ran on the 1,600 relay team that finished third at state.

        Matt Barnes was part of the 800 relay that finished third at state last season. Barnes also placed seventh in the long jump. Nathan Clinkenbeard was part of the state champion 3,200 relay and Mike Slawter qualified in the 300 intermediate hurdles.

        For Highlands to continue its success, several young athletes must step up in the relays.

        3. Bishop Brossart: Area coaches voted the Mustangs as the top small school program. Bishop Brossart is hoping to bring home a second straight Class A state championship, but they will have to do so with new faces.

        Tim Kaiser (1,600 and 3,200), Mike Neiser (sprints), Joe Seiter (sprints) and Tyler Boesch (pole vault) are returning state qualifiers.

        4. Ryle: Coach Erik Arkenberg hopes the late season success the Raiders experienced will carry over to this season.

        “We started slowly last year but finished second in the regionals and sent seven to state,” Arkenberg said. “This year we have several key runners back. We should be strongest in the distance events.”

        Daniel Tracy returns after finishing second in the region in the 3,200 run. Senior Brian Hall will be the top returning sprinter. He placed first in the region in the 200-meter dash and third in the 100.

        5. Boone County: The Rebels will be led by sprinter Charlie Clifford. Clifford placed seventh in the Class AAA 100-meter dash last season.

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