XC off to a strong start

     There are many expectations this season for the CHS cross country teams.

     Some expectations are Preston Fox and Evan Davis to finish high in almost every meet. According to Coach Nick Puckett, “Preston is setting the pace for our boys. He will have a chance to be the top overall finisher in the most meets this year.”

     Puckett is also excited to see how the freshmen will contribute to the team.

     The girls will have a chance to win as many invitationals as possible this year.  “Emma Parsons is currently leading our girls team, but she is surrounded by a solid group of underclassmen who are going to push her for the whole season,” said Pukett.

     The toughest opponents this season are the Cardinal Ritter for the boys. The girls need to beat Danville, Ritter, Crawfordsville and Monrovia in hopes to advance to regional and win.

Parsons and Fox were all-country runners and regional qualifiers last year. They both have plants to repeat those accomplishments and move on to the semi-state race as well.

     Many returning players will contribute a lot, including Molley Cook, Abby Thornburg, Carly Hicks, Maddie Tyler and Kathryn Tinsley, who will enhance the varsity team.

     For the boys, Owen Myers, Evan Davis, Garrett Hicks and Henry Tucker should help lead the team to more victories than in previous seasons.

     So far the girls have started this year out with coming in second place at the Puckett Invitational. Emma Parsons, Molley Cook, and Carly Hicks all finished in the top ten. Coutrney Shortstrand and Abby Thornburg had an amazing run but it wasn’t enough for the team to overcome Monrovia.

With a long season ahead of them, the runners are striding to make each week better.