A coaching change and a small team roster with no juniors or freshmen hasn’t been much of a hindrance to the boys cross country team at Piscataquis Community High School of Guilford this season.

Coach Bob Emrich’s Piscataquis team has compiled a sparkling 20-0 dual-meet record and the team’s top runner, James Emrich, has broken four course records so far this season.

The team is well on its way toward its ultimate goal – erasing the disappointment of last season – when it finished third in the Penquis League championship only to drop to sixth in the regional championship, and 13th in the Class C state meet.

“It seemed to be a real discouraging season last year, and it’s hard to pinpoint the reason,” said Coach Emrich. “I think the pressure of big meets and the team’s inexperience were a couple of reasons.”

Whatever the reasons, they aren’t affecting the team’s performance this year.

“We have good leadership from our seniors and the whole team seems really focused on doing well every meet,” Emrich said.

The bulk of that leadership has come from James Emrich. The senior captain was a main victim of the junior slump last year after winning an individual Eastern Maine championship in 1990.

Emrich is back to sophomore form with course records at East Corinth, Guilford, Milo, and Pittsfield already this year.

“My goal was to really make an impact this year. I’ve run with a lot more heart this year… the whole team has,” said the younger Emrich. “I put too much pressure on myself last year, but I’m having a lot more fun this year, and I think that’s been the difference.”

The No. 2 runner on the squad is Aaron Curran. Both he and Emrich have run all four years, and both have been the leading point contributors this season.

The team’s third spot is up for grabs between sophomores Aaron Stupakewicz and Jimmy Berry.

Bob Emrich describes Stupakewicz as a “thinker and tactician.” He calls Berry a precision runner. Presently, neither has the inside track on the contested No. 3 slot and the battle appears headed for the wire.

Sophomore John Larson occupies the fifth spot. He didn’t come out for the team until midseason last year and, as a result, didn’t make a big contribution, but he has worked very hard this year.

Senior Tim Adkins came out for the team for the first time to build up his endurance for boxing and has unexpectedly contributed to the team’s success.

The seventh slot on the team is Ronnie Leland’s. The senior has had more success as a sprinter, but enjoys running cross country. So does No. 8 man Craig Easler, a sophomore who is running to get in shape and build endurance for the basketball season.

The season has also been a new experience for the head coach. Bob Emrich, who has been an unofficial assistant coach and team bus driver the last few years, eagerly took over the program’s reins from John Lemieux after Lemieux moved to the Readfield area.

“I ran a year in high school and then through college,” Bob Emrich said. “James was the one who got me started (coaching).”

Now the elder Emrich is returning the favor by coaching his son, who also wants to continue running at the collegiate level.

The team has formulated three main goals: to win the Penquis League championship, finish among the top five at Easterns, and move up to the top 10 at the state meet.

“We’ll give them (opposing teams) a run,” said Bob Emrich. “They’ll have to work awful hard to finish ahead of us.”