The Green River High School Cross Country team is ready to hit the ground running, literally, as they prepare to move up into 4A competition this season after spending several years competing with 3A teams.
"It'll be a big step up," Head Coach Craig Leavitt said of the change. "It's a lot more competitive in 4A for sure."
The Wolves will move from being competitive at a 3A level to being the underdogs in 4A, facing bigger schools and teams with more numbers, the coach explained. His goal for the year is to help the team prepare for and compete at this new level, and to hopefully get them to State.
Despite the new difficulties, the athletes themselves are ready to rise to the challenge.
"They're definitely a pretty talented team for as young as they are," Coach Leavitt said.
The boys team, while having good numbers, is especially young this year, according to the coach. Most of the athletes are freshmen or sophomores, with only one junior and senior.
"We're looking forward to having lots of new runners," the Coach said.
The solo senior athlete, Jordan Andrews, has been running for several years, and Coach Leavitt looks forward to what he will contribute to the team.
"He's worked pretty hard this summer," Leavitt said of Andrews.
With so many young athletes, the team has been spending time in practice building up foundational cross country skills.
"Learning how to run three miles and stay running and stay racing is a pretty tough skill," Coach Leavitt said.
The girls team this year is almost opposite when it comes to experience levels, with only a few new runners and mostly returning athletes, including four seniors.
"These girls, they've worked four years for it, so hopefully they are ready to go this year and ready to do well," Leavitt said.
The coach is especially expecting good things from Seniors Isabelle Murdock and Ellie Quiroz, and believes they are likely to get All Conference and All State honors.
Overall, Coach Leavitt is looking forward to seeing how the team does throughout the season.
"The kids seem really excited and motivated this year," he said.
The Cross Country team will compete in their first invite in Rock Springs this Friday.
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