Last year the boy’s cross-country team lost one of its best runners: Nick Happe, Gatorade’s MO runner of the year. Since Happe graduated, there is a void for the role of team leader. Senior Kevin Stein and junior Jordan Summers are working to fill it.

“Kevin and Jordan have really stepped up the intensity in practice,” Head coach Bob Doak said. “Over the summer they put in a lot of miles, and will definitely be looked up to by other teammates.”

For the girl’s team all Varsity runners have returned, including junior Coleen Grone and senior Dianna Prost – both of which are previous State qualifiers. With only ten freshman on the boy’s team and two on the girl’s, there will certainly be a lot of runners looking up to the new leaders.

“It is really inspiring to be looked at as a leader,” Stein said. “It’s like when a little sibling looks up to you for advice. It makes you feel like you’ve accomplished
something. “