Despite being moved to Class AAA and being placed in one of the toughest regionsin the state, the Logan County cross country Cougars let everyone in the region know “the young guns were not new to successful runnin,” Coach Greg Howard says.
The Cougars finished 6thoverall and placed two runners in the KHSAA State Championships in Lexington this Saturday. Juniors Levi Crossley and Kelley Eicher qualified to compete at state.
“There is a definite difference in running up with the big schools and we will adjust. We’ve experienced a great deal of success over the past several years and know what it takes to win. We’ll be back soon competing for another regional championship!” predicts Howard, whose team won the Class AA region the previous two years.
The Cougars have just one senior on the team and ran a 7th grader, two 8th graders, a freshman and two juniors at region.
“We were out done with other teams with mostly upperclassmen and took our licks. Our kids stood tall and ran some of their best times ever,” Howard continued. “(2013 senior standouts) Colton Spencer, Sye Head, Noah Thomas, and Claire Hopkins came to support the new guys and let them know they were there for them. I know seeing those guys pumped me up, and I know our team didn’t want to let them down. Our kids ran extremely well and dropped as much as a minute and a half off their course record times.
“Just watching the improvements of our kids has been so amazing and truly something to be proud of. These kids come to practice every day and come willing to do what it takes to get better,” Howard added.” They run and do their workouts on the weekends and run during the off season. I wish everyone understood what kind of dedication these kids really have. I hope their efforts inspire others to join our team and continue the success of this program.”
Crossley finished 17th(17:43.62), Eicher 21st(17:57.68), Kaleb O’ Dell 27th(18:20.25), Thomas Lyne 39th(19:04.97), Tanner Morrow 42nd(19:25.12), Gage Cousineau 47th(19:48.33), and Riley Wharton 49th(20:46.06).
“So proud of them all!” Howard concluded.