The Kokomo Wildkat cross country runners are coming up on their last events of their season. They are working hard to prepare for their final events, NCC and sectionals. They are hoping to advance to the regional meet and beyond this year.
Head coach Jordan Ousley is pleased with the progress the teams have made this season, praising two senior members of his boys’ team.
“Cooper Cage and Preston Arreola are climbing the all-time KHS cross-country times and are putting their names in the record book,” Ousley said.
For Ousley, the best event of the season so far was at Brownsburg where most of the runners set personal records for themselves.
Even though they run separate races, the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams are really like one big family.
“They all support one another and root for each other to succeed and race their best,” Ousley said. “I am proud of all 30 runners and how hard they have been working.”
The girls’ cross country team had to overcome injuries to start their season, but now they are working hard to get stronger and faster to meet their goals.
“The girls’ team has a goal to finish top three in our conference and top five in the sectional to then move onto regionals,” said senior Morgan Rakestraw. “Personally, I would like to set a personal record and move onto regionals.”
Sophomore Alaina Thompson also has her sights set on running well at the end of the season.
“My main goal is for our team to make it to regionals. This would be the first time this has happened in countless years, so it would be amazing if we can achieve this,” Thompson said. “Personally, I would like to be All-Conference at our NCC meet and be top ten at sectionals. Overall, I just want to work and improve as much as possible this season.”
As they get closer and closer to the end of the season, the team is strengthening their bond and supporting each other.
“I’m looking forward to our team dinners that are coming up. I love bonding with the team outside of practice and these are some of the best times in the season,” Rakestraw said. “As a senior all my hard work is coming to a close and I hope to make some big strides in a short time.”
For senior Ben Wallace, the end of the season is bittersweet.
“I’m not sure if I am ready for high school cross country to be over, but after it wraps up I still have track to work for,” he said. “When cross country ends I’m going to take a short break then focus on working out for track because the offseason is where the most improvement is done.”
The teams travel to the Culver Cross Country Invitational tomorrow before racing in the North Central Conference meet next Saturday.
