The boys and girls cross country teams are off on the right foot.  Currently, the highest personal record for the boys is Michael Oliver with an outstanding PR of 15 minutes and 58 seconds scored at the Herrin meet and for the girls Kaelan Hall leads with a personal record of 18 minutes and 21 seconds also done at the Herrin meet that was held on September 5th.

Everyone ran their best at that meet winning the girls the 1st place overall.  Though they have lost a few runners due to moving, graduating or getting injured, they’re still trying their best they can and striving to win a 4-peat at conference by end of the season.

The varsity boys include Michael Oliver, Colton Towle, Damon Bordner, David Carlson, Logan Pierce, Brice Williamson, and Anthony Bowling. The JV boys include Ryan Gottschalk, Lance Mattingly, Victor Sanchez, Nicholas Bartelsmyer, Colton Haught, Nick Kane, and Kane Konkel.

For the varsity girls team there is Kaelan Hall, Charli Elliott, Alexis Hawes, Kelsey Herkert, Tiffany Young, and Katelynn Rutkowski. The girls JV  team includes Cierra Kiesling and Sierra Gill.

All four teams started their summer training June 6th. Training is essential to ensure long limber muscles, endurance and to avoid injuries when possible.

When interviewed, a few of the runners said their secret to success is to make sure they have a good diet, are stretched out, are prepared and motivated to run.

Michael Oliver stated that his biggest motivator was, “Myself and wanting to get a faster time. I also really want to go to state this year.”

Kelsey Herkert feels her biggest motivator is  “The water at the end of the race and the thought of getting in my bed when I go home, also getting to wear the 4-peat shirts after we win conference.”

This team is setting big goals for this year and hopefully will achieve them.