Cross Country runners look forward to first meet September 5 at NP
Five girls and 12 boys join Head Coach Seth Burge to make up the 2024-25 PC cross country team.
According to Coach Burge, the team has some talent returning, and some newcomers to be excited about as well.
“On the girls team we have juniors Brenna Colglazier and Madi Swesey returning from a solid sophomore season. Both Brenna and Madi have a solid base of summer running to bring them into preseason ready to roll. Senior Emry McGreer is also returning after a short season due to injury in 2023. Emry also has some good summer mileage and is looking like a strong leader as we start practices,” Coach Burge said.
He added “on the boys team returning from last year we have seniors Mason McGreer and Brock Tines, juniors Cooper Kroeker, Trevyn Tucker, and Gavin Kohmetcher, sophomores Elijah Goodell, Ethan Swesey, Logan Barry and Emmanuel Kiogora. Mason and Eli are returning with a 1st and 2nd place finish at the State XC Meet last season, respectively. Also returning from the 2023 state placing boys team is Brock Tines. Ethan Swesey, Logan Barry and Cooper Kroeker were just shy of making the state qualifying varsity team in 2023 and are coming into this season with strong summer mileage to compete on spots for our varsity boys team.”
Newcomer girls include freshman Hanna Colglazier and senior Haley Schneider. “It will be great to have a full girls team this year,” Burge said.
“On the boys side, freshmen Miles Knapp and Jesus Marquez are joining us after the successful inaugural junior high cross country season with coach Alecia Einspahr in 2023. Also new to the cross country team is freshman Micah Hatcher whose brother Jacob was on our state qualifying varsity team in 2023,” Burge said.
Most of the team participate in the summer run club, and have been conditioning during the off season, and now practices are back in full swing.
“We had some cool weather for the first week of conditioning and now are in the heat for 2 weeks of intense practice leading up to our first meet at NPSP,” Coach Burge said.
When asked about what will help the team’s success this season, Coach Burge replied “As long as we keep the girls healthy it will be great to have a full girls team. McGreer and Goodell will have a competitive season battling for 1st place finishes at most of our meets. Our key to success for a team score this season will be in strong 3rd, 4th, and 5th place runners on the boys side. I am excited to see Ethan, Cooper, Brock and Logan come into the season conditioned and ready to fill those spots. With heavy numbers on the boys side, our JV boys are also looking to be competitive this season.”
The girls Team is made up of (and grades):Hanna Colglazier, 9; Brenna Colglazier, 11; Madi Swesey, 11; Emry McGreer, 12; Haley Schneider, 12. The boys team includes (and grades): Micah Hatcher, 9; Miles Knapp, 9; Jesus Marquez, 9; Logan Barry, 10; Elijah Goodell, 10; Emmanuel Kiogora, 10; Ethan Swesey, 10; Gavin Kohmetscher, 11; Cooper Kroeker, 11; Trevyn Tucker, 11; Mason McGreer, 12; Brock Tines, 12.
September 5 will be the teams first competition at North Platte St. Pat’s at 4 p.m.