The girls? cross-country team at Lake Orion High School is hoping to cross the finish line in third or fourth place in the league this year. According to Head Coach Debi McDonald, many area teams? top runners have graduated, so league standings are up in the air.
‘I think we have a talented group,? said McDonald. ‘I’ve seen some surprising performances already this year.?
The young team is looking at an uphill climb as many of the 65 girls are lower classmen.
Still, McDonald is hopeful to place in the top ten at larger cross-country invitationals and to get the team in a more competitive spirit.
‘Last year we did pretty well, but not as strong as I thought we would,? she said. ‘I hope for a turn-around this year; they trained harder this summer.?
The team returned six of seven varsity runners from last year: Abbey Ernatt, Rebecca Dow, Sydney Gutierrez, Kelsey Lee, Kathryn Miller and Lisa Bandico. Amy Wells, who sat out last season from a severe stress fracture, is showing varsity potential, says McDonald.
She added that many of the girls also ran in middle school, which should be helpful for the team.
‘They’re young, but we’re working so I can develop them to become strong runners,? McDonald said. The coach said a goal of varsity runners is to get back to the state competition.
This year’s team is the largest LOHS has ever had, beating out last year’s record at 42 runners.
Girls started practice Aug. 12. The first meet of the season will be the Grizzly Invitational at Oakland University Sept. 4.
Keep watching The Review for sports schedules.