After 47 years, the Smithsburg boys finally got their state championship.
It had been nearly 50 years since the Smithsburg boys hoisted a Maryland Cross Country State Championship Trophy, but that drought ended last November. For head coach Adam Rudy, it was a moment shared by generations of Smithsburg runners and, especially, a fitting sendoff for longtime coach, Coach Shriver, who retired after 40 years of coaching in the spring of 2025, but was there to watch his team win the title.
Now entering his second season as Smithsburg's head cross country coach, Rudy and the Leopards have a strong returning core, several young athletes ready for larger roles, and a new standard to set.
We caught up with Rudy and captains Dylan Herbst and Gavin Gross to look back on the 2025 championship, preview the 2026 season, and talk about what comes next for Smithsburg boys cross country.
Coach Questions - Answered by Head Coach Adam Rudy
1. Looking back now, what does that championship mean to you and your program?
Coach Rudy: Having a bit of time to reflect, I think that particular championship means a ton. Smithsburg boys cross country hadn't won a state title in 47 years, but had been close many times so I think it meant a ton to the many people who have been invested in the program. Particularly, I was incredibly happy to see them win it for Coach Shriver -- he'd retired after 40 years of coaching in the spring of 2025 but was there to see the guys win and It was a big deal to win for him.
I'd also say it probably meant so much more to the upperclassmen. The juniors and seniors had seen the girls win a state title or finish runner-up at every state meet the last three years so for them to be able to join in on that success was huge! To get that monkey off their back was an incredible feeling for those young men and really spring boarded them for a successful rest of the year.
2. Was there a race, workout, or turning point when you realized your team had the potential to accomplish something special?
Coach Rudy: Coming into the season I was very confident in the guys we had on the roster. We had some really high quality track PRs for a 1A roster and a good summer of training, but one workout that stands out was just before the Frank Keyser meet in early October. We were doing some 800s -- starting at threshold (or CV if you want to get fancy) and then the last rep, several were going to drop down. It was the first time all year I had my top eight runners all doing the same workout on the same day… as a small school we balance a lot with dual sports, club sports, had some injury issues as well… but anyway, we had five guys looking great. The splits were good but they just looked like a championship team that day. I remember thinking "this is exactly how champions look doing this"… later that weekend we won Frank Keyser outright by a good margin and I think it really showed how ready we were getting.
3. As you turn the page to 2026, what excites you most about this year's team?
Coach Rudy: I think with high school athletics in general you always get to see who is hungry to be somebody. We've got some young guys who put in some work over the summer and get to have a larger impact in cross than track so I'm excited to see what they're going to do and I'm excited to see how we benefit a year into the training we've been doing. It should be a fun year with some meets we haven't attended before.
4. Who are some athletes that you expect to take on bigger roles this fall?
I think Dylan Herbst, Gavin Gross, and Grayson Wynkoop are going to continue to shine. They'll shine after really strong summers, but cross country is all about the team. I except Dylan Lowe to step up. After a year of strong half miles and a year being older and stronger I think he'll be really impactful for us. Excited to get Luke Gentzel back from a foot stress fracture. Anytime you've got two 2:01 guys as four and five, you should be excited. Then we've got some young guys who will add great depth after good summers -- Connor Morris and Mason Hughes could take some big jumps.
5. What goals have you and your team set for this season, and are there any invitationals or championship meets you're especially looking forward to?
Coach Rudy: Last year's team set a standard we'd like to continue. We're excited to head up to Carlisle and get a taste of the best PA has to offer. For us it's always good to get out of our comfort zone as a small school but ultimately running is all about patience and timing so we're looking to be our best in late October and early November.
6. What do you hope this year's team is remembered for when the season is over?
Coach Rudy: I hope we're able to be a team of believers. Kids that believe in themselves, believe in each other, believe in the training and team, and believe that they can achieve great things.
7. How long have you been coaching? How did you get your start?
Coach Rudy: This will be my 13th year coaching high school cross country or track. I always knew I wanted to be a coach... I got asked to help when I first got hired as a teacher and never really looked back. I had planned on doing a bit more competing out of college but I ended up enjoying coaching much more.
Coach Rudy's Resume:
2014-2021- XC at South Hagerstown
2014-2019- Assistant Track at South Hagerstown
2019-Present- Head Track at Smithsburg
2025 to Present Head XC at Smithsburg
I took some time away from cross when I transferred schools in 2021. My son was just born, and Coach Shriver still had the program rolling, so it was a good break. Then when I took over cross country last year, I dropped indoor track. Our indoor track coach is my assistant in cross country, Stacey Crawford. She does a fantastic job with the program during the indoor season!
8. What's one of your favorite memories from your coaching career?
Coach Rudy: That's a tough one! The successes are always great but I think kids being kids is what really sticks with you. I've had a cross country team get me a cardboard cutout of myself (Flat Adam... although he doesn't stand much anymore)... I've shoveled the track after a blizzard with an athlete determined to not lose a state championship... I've had some kids play really good April fools' jokes on me. But ultimately the thing that makes me smile the most is thinking of those moments when kids achieved goals, they never thought possible or broke through really memorable barriers. I remember one time a kid who was an offensive lineman as a freshmen ended up breaking five in the mile, and I was so excited for him and he's laying on the ground and goes "Thanks coach, but I really want a pizza now"
9. If someone spent one practice with your team, what's something they'd quickly learn about your program's culture?
Coach Rudy: I'd hope they would see that we don't take ourselves too seriously and that we try to make practice the best part of a kid's day. If they love coming to practice and love what they are doing and who they're doing it with, you're usually going to have a great team!
Captain Questions - Answered by Dylan Herbst & Gavin Gross.
1. What's one word that best describes this year's team, and why?
Captains: Committed. I would say this word because our whole team has been grinding the whole summer and been focused on the goal of winning again this year.
2. What's one goal this team has that goes beyond winning races?
Captains: One of the main goals has been to build up the underclassmen and the program as a whole. I don't want the Smithsburg boys program to die after our class of seniors leave. Having the ability and chance to develop younger guys like Dylan Lowe and Grayson Wynkoop has been great, so they can do the same to next set of underclassmen.
3. What message would you like to send to your teammates and fans as the 2026 season begins?
Captains: Believe in us and each other. Trust ourselves and let's see what we can do! Don't be afraid to take a risk
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After 47 years, the Smithsburg boys finally got their state championship.
It had been nearly 50 years since the Smithsburg boys hoisted a Maryland Cross Country State Championship Trophy, but that drought ended last November. For head coach Adam Rudy, it was a moment shared by generations of Smithsburg runners and, especially, a fitting sendoff for longtime coach, Coach Shriver, who retired after 40 years of coaching in the spring of 2025, but was there to watch his team win the title.
Now entering his second season as Smithsburg's head cross country coach, Rudy and the Leopards have a strong returning core, several young athletes ready for larger roles, and a new standard to set.