Daily training underway for cross country runners

A total of eight girls and one boy have shown up so far for high school cross country practices since the program started last Wednesday.

Coach Tate Thompson said that only three of the girls are returning from last year’s district meet, with the remainder participating as part of the girls basketball off-season training.

“We have been starting at 8:00 a.m. each morning with some weight training and running,” he said. “We will switch to morning practice at 6:30 a.m. two mornings per week once classes start. We will also work out some during the athletic period.”

The three girls returning from last year who ran at district are Laney Jaco, Sidney Bartee, and Dani Ford. Derek Isbell is the only male runner so far.

The season will open Sept. 4 in Eula, followed by a meet in Coleman Sept. 10. The local runners will also travel to Haskell on Sept. 19, and Miles on Sept. 26.

Albany will host a local meet on Oct. 3, with the district meet set for Oct. 10 in Hawley.

The coach said that it isn’t too late for others to join the program. Anyone interested should contact Thompson.

The junior high cross country program will not start until after the first day of classes.