The Caesar Rodney High School boys’ cross country team had a bad taste in its mouth after 2007.

    Not that they weren’t successful or anything, but the Rider men barely missed claiming the No. 1 spot in the Division I state tournament.

    They came so close to glory that this year began with one goal in mind — to take the next step.

    CR has proven its desire to win it all this year through the first half of the season, as it has gone 4-0.

    First-year head coach Mike Tucci said it has been smooth sailing so far, but he knows greater challenges lie ahead for the Riders.

    “Everything is progressing pretty much as we hoped,” Tucci said. “We’re just working our way through the mid-point of the season. Our challenges are to keep everyone interested in running and keep our eye on the big prize.”

    That big prize, of course, is the state title. The coach said with all the parity in the state, it’s tough to get a read on where anyone will finish at this point.

    “I know we’re going to face a lot of challenges in different spots,” he said. “Sallies, St. Mark’s, Charter … they’re all going to be tough.”

    Tucci took over the team this season after long-time head coach Charlie Bell stepped down to accept a position at Delaware State University.

    He said the transition was pretty much seamless, and once the initial shock wore off that Bell was gone it was business as usual.

    However, Tucci admitted things have been a lot easier with the help of his two top senior runners, Eric Line and Marshall Hawkins.

    Both Line and Hawkins were top-10 finishers in the state in 2007, and have again proven to be the workhorses and leaders for CR this season.

    “They provide leadership on a daily basis, both vocally and through the example they set,” Tucci said. “They do everything including running the warm-up drills and exercises. It’s like having two more assistant coaches with me.”

    With five more races until the Riders enter the conference tournament, Tucci said he likes what he’s seen from his squad.

    However, he said cross country is such an unpredictable sport that a lot of things are going to have to go right for the team that comes out on top.

    “I think our guys see their competition and say, ‘We have a shot at this,’” Tucci said. “I mean, you never know. People could get freak injuries or just have a bad day.

    “But if everything falls into place, yes we could do it. That doesn’t mean we will do it. The teams are so close from a talent perspective, I’d guess if everyone could be healthy and run five races, we’d have five different winners.

    The Caesar Rodney Cross Country team’s next race is against Dover and Lake Forest high schools at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Killens Pond State Park, Felton.

Email Brian Citino at brian.citino@doverpost.com