The Langley High cross country program has a new coach at the helm of the program this fall. Mike Kiernan, a longtime coaching figure within the area’s high school cross country and track and field scene, is now at the helm of the Saxons’ cross country program.
Kiernan was hired to replace Astrid Howell as the Langley head coach. Howell stepped down during the offseason. She recently had a baby and wants to devote her time to being a mother, although she will still work within the program as an assistant coach when she can.
<b>KIERNAN</b> comes from Westfield High School, where he served as the co-head coach of the track and field program last spring. Currently in his 20th year of coaching, Kiernan served as the Bishop O’Connell head coach in both cross country and track and field from 1988 through 2001.
He says he is excited to now be at Langley, where he has talented runners on both the girls’ and boys’ sides.
Some of the top runners for the Langley girls include twin sisters Lauren and Carolyn Shaw, as well as Amanda Steffy. Lauren Shaw is the defending Liberty District champion.
"All three of them are tremendous," said Kiernan. "They were all instrumental to the success of the team at the district level last year."
In 2007 under coach Howell, the Langley girls finished second in the district championships before going on to finish ninth at the Northern Region Championships.
Langley juniors Jill Canning, a first year runner, and Anneke Day also both figure to be instrumental to the team’s success this season.
The Langley boys’ team is less experienced. However, the Saxons have two runners who finished in the top seven at districts last year. They are junior Tommy Bylund and senior Hunter Bohlen, the Saxon boys’ team captain.
"They’re working real hard," said coach Kiernan, of the duo. "Both have had success."
The Langley boys are coming off a 2007 season in which it finished fourth overall at districts to qualify for regionals. Kiernan believes this year’s squad is once again capable of making it to regionals.
"A big goal for us will be to get to regionals again," he said.
<b>LANGLEY</b> has had a busy schedule of late. The Saxons participated in the Brentsville Relays this past weekend. On Tuesday of this week, they were scheduled to compete at the Monroe Parker Invitational at Burke Lake Park. The season-opening meet was originally postponed two weeks ago as a result of poor weather.
On Thursday of this week, Langley is scheduled to compete in a four-team district meet at Nottoway Park in Vienna. Participating teams include Madison, Woodson and Stone Bridge High Schools. And this Saturday, the Saxons will run at the large Oatlands Invitational in Leesburg. The meet begins at 9 a.m.