The LCM Cross Country teams have gotten a running start into the new school year. The boys team recently brought home a second place trophy from the Cardinal Classic and also finished in the top 20 out of 73 runners. Freshman Eli Peveto won the 5k, and sophomore Rayce Piper finished in third place.

Coach Dena Adkins said she has high hopes for the next upcoming meet this Saturday, Sept. 12  in Nederland.

“My hopes for this meet are another team trophy, but more importantly each runner improves on his/her time,” Adkins said.

The team gets to a meet typically around 7 am and leaves around 11:30 am.

“It just depends on how the meet is set up,” Adkins said.

In order to prepare for meets, the runners must show up to practice. Their independent running is highly important in training and achieving goals set for themselves.

Even though practice began on Aug. 10, the runners were expected to take it upon themselves to run over summer. The team runs together on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, but is required to run outside of practice on Tuesdays and Sundays.

The team consists of: freshman Eli Peveto, sophomore Rayce Piper, junior Blake Kresser, senior JC Copely, senior Cameron Blanchard, freshman Jackson Baeze, senior Brad Couture, sophomore Olivia Keltz, junior Kilon Gillis, sophomore Megan McKinley, freshman Kylee Locke, and sophomore Alora Jones. The team does not have official captains and instead relies on everyone’s support.

“The guys push each other to do their best,” Adkins said.