Cross country squad features a lot of experience

LAUREL — The expectations are high in Laurel this year for the cross country teams.

Last year’s boys team qualified for the State meet, while a lone female runner advanced to the finale meet of the season last year.

Laurel-Concord-Coleridge’s cross country fortunes are in the hands of three Bears and Lady Bears, along with returning head coach, Brandi Settje.

Preston Rose and Carter Korth return for their senior campaigns along with junior, Shane Langford.

All three bring plenty of experience as the trio ran at the Class C State Cross Country Championships at Kearney Country Club at the end of last season.

“We have some strong veterans on our team that bring lots of experience and great leadership,” Settje said. “We are starting with a healthy team roster this year and hoping to remain that way all season.”

Rose and Korth have earned varsity letters in their previous three seasons, while Langford lettered last season as a sophomore.

The Lady Bears also have four returning letter winners in juniors, Kate Tasler and Addison Hoeppner and sophomores, Faith Galvin and Abbie Brummels. Freshmen Ava Christiansen and Leah Gould are also expected to play a role on this year’s squad.

Galvin was the lone participant at state last season, qualifying as an individual as just a freshman.

Joining the four Bears on- the boys’ roster are four runners with no cross country experience and the Lady Bears will be joined by two freshmen.

“We do have some new kids joining the program that have never ran before,” said Settje. “We are excited to have them with us and look forward to watching them improving as the season progresses.”

Sophomores, Hunter Mc-Ghee and Luke Jackson, along with freshmen, Sebastian Van Drongelen and Jonathan Mc-Dermott will join Rose, Korth and Langford this fall.

This year’s season begins in Hartington and hopefully ends in Kearney.

The first meet of the year is the Hartington-Newcastle Invitational. State cross country will be held at Kearney on Oct. 25.

Settje is assisted by Carrie Williamson and Anna Gutz.

Cross Country Schedule

Aug. 29 at Hartington Invite Sept. 5 at Wisner-Pilger Invite Sept. 12 LCC Invite Sept. 16 at Wayne Invite Sept. 19 at Pender Invite Sept. 26 at Crofton Invite Oct. 3 at Stanton Invite Oct. 10 at Painview Conference meet Oct. 3 at Plainview Oct. 17 at District Meet Oct. 25 at State Meet