While the Princeton Day School cross country program doesn’t boast strength in numbers, it does feature some high quality runners.

As the PDS boys’ squad defeated visiting Pennington 24-35 last week, Panther sophomore Ian Moini set the pace, covering the 5,000-meter course in 16:35, more than a minute better than runner-up Ryan Rizzuto of Pennington (17:40).

PDS head coach Merrell Noden wasn’t surprised that Moini cruised to victory.

“Ian is on his way to becoming the best runner in PDS history; he is a year older, that is part of it,” said Noden, noting that Moini went to cross country camps this summer in Indiana and at Princeton University.

“He is more focused and more intense. He wants to do everything hard and fast. I want him to do a long run of 70 minutes each week and he comes back after a hard 40 minute run. He ran 17:08 twice last year. He did 16:50 at the Newark Academy Invitational earlier this season. I think he can get down to the low 16s this year.”

Sophomore Kevin Sun is coming on fast for the Panthers. “Kevin had never run before this year; he is an incredible workhorse,” said Noden.

“Without knowing what he was doing, he was running 60 miles a week this summer. He has run only four races in his life to this point. We finish practice and he wants to go out and run another 20 minutes; he always adds to whatever we are doing.”

PDS is getting good work from the trio of junior Nick Chen, junior Peter Klein, and freshman Tommy Batterman.

“Nick Chen is a steady guy for us; he was under 20 for us last year,” said Noden.

“Peter Klein is a good looking runner for us, he is showing steady improvement. Tommy Batterman has been fourth, fifth, or sixth for us in every race; we expect him to keep improving.”

As for the girls’ team, Noden is expecting big things from sophomore Morgan Mills.

“Like Ian with the boys, Morgan is on her way to being the best girl runner ever at PDS,” said Noden of Mills who posted a time of 20:29 in placing first as the Panther girls defeated Pennington 23-32.

“She insists on training with the boys. She ran a 20:08 last year against New Hope, that is the best time ever for a PDS girl. I think she can get in the mid 19s.”

Noden believes that junior Emma Sharer can get better and better as the season unfolds.

“Emma is a smooth and efficient runner,” added Noden. “She has started slowly but I expect her to improve and get to where she was last year when she helped the girls’ team to its first medalist performance at the prep meet.”

Freshman Bridget Kane has been a big help so far this fall. “I didn’t know her before she showed up this summer,” said Noden, noting that senior captain Emma Kaplan is currently sidelined by injury but could return later this fall. “She was instantly able to run with our top girls. She has been third for us in every meet.”