The Warrenton boys and girls cross country teams feature a mix of returners and newcomers. With 22 runners on the roster, a significant increase from last season, the teams are a combination of …
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The Warrenton boys and girls cross country teams features a mix of returners and newcomers. With 22 runners on the roster, a significant increase from last season, the teams are a combination of upperclassmen and underclassmen and experienced runners from inexperienced runners.
“Some kids are looking pretty good and you know others didn’t do anything over the summer, but this is a sport where you just got to be tough and I’ve seen a lot of toughness,” Head Coach Jeremy Collins said.
The Warriors lost quite a few seniors from last season, some of whom were big leaders on the team that helped motivate underclassmen.
Despite losing some experience, Collins noted that many runners have been stepping up and filling that leadership role.
“The seniors that we have this year, they were good friends with [the seniors from last year] and so they just kind of followed their example,” Collins said.
Collins named Noah Cline, Jacob Beckemeyer and Jadyn Hopper as runners who have been taking on that role.
The Warriors have completed two weeks of practices and are focusing on building a base gain in distance and trying to slowly get into a good race pace.
Collins noted it can be difficult to figure out a good pace when some of the team might not be as experienced as others.
“We have some that have a good feel and know what to do and then we have people that have never ran a 5K,” Collins said. “Running and just going out and doing the 5K compared to actually racing is also totally different.”
Collins is feeling optimistic with his crew this season and after seeing how tough the individual runners can be and how much effort they put in, he thinks there is potential that both teams can make it to state.
“Obviously, it’ll take a lot of hard work, but if you're just tough and willing to put the time and effort, you can make a lot of improvement throughout the season,” Collins said.
Collins also has high hopes for sophomore Alexis Ruff, who qualified for state last year.
“She qualified last year as a freshman, so we’re hoping that she has a good season and can make it back to the state meet,” Collins said.
Collins expects some additional runners to qualify for the state meet that were close to making it last year as well.
The Warrenton boys and girls cross country team will race in their first meet on Aug. 30 at the Mexico Invitational.
