Clarkston has had an impressive five-year run in girls cross country. Three straight state championships (2003-?05), one runner-up finish, and a sixth-place finish (2006). Logic says the girls should be a top-10 lock come November.
‘I expect to be top-three in the state,? coach John Yorke said.
Coming on the heels of a three-peat, sixth place may have been considered a disappointment, but the Wolves were a very young team in 2006.
‘It’s exciting to think of sixth place as a rebuilding year,? Yorke joked.
Yorke, in his first year with the cross country team, is making the transition from track in the spring.
Yorke’s previous experience is making his new job easier.
‘I know most of the girls from track and field,? Yorke said. ‘I have a pretty good understanding of running. I’m familiar with working with runners, it’s just different running.?
Three Clarkston runners placed all-state in June, one of whom is Kristen Smith, who should lead the girls this fall. Smith’s training partner Tiffany Kincaid is expected to be the Wolves? No. 2 runner. A ‘handful of girls? are competing to round out Clarkston’s starters.
Clarkston missed out on winning its fifth consecutive Oakland Activities Association title last year to eventual state champion Rochester Adams. The Wolves should be back in the thick of one of the state’s strongest conferences.
‘Our league has really good girls cross country teams in it. The league (championship) is definitely a goal,? Yorke said.
Clarkston begins the season at the Corunna Early Bird Invitational Wednesday.