Cross country ready to run
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Despite the recent hot weather, Chester's two cross country squads have been getting their road work in and preparing for the upcoming season.
Head Coach Scott Haxton seems very pleased with the scholar-athletes on his squads.
"This year we have an exceptional group of young men and ladies" explained Haxton. "This is a motivated, hard-working group of runners. Assistant coach Bob Koenegstein brought to my attention that this is also a hard-working group academically."
One highlight of the schedule will be the Black Diamond Conference meet near the end of the season. Haxton has already set a goal for both the boys and girls teams to be competitive at that meet. Other memorable moments could come whenever old rivals Chester and Sparta cross paths.
"They are one of the better teams in southern Illinois, but I feel that our team is capable of keeping up with the Sparta team and winning competitions against them this year" said Haxton. "I predict that when we participate in meets against Sparta it will come down to a few crucial points."
Things are a little young on the boys side of the roster with sophomores
Devin Valleroy and Link Cushman expected to lead the way. On the girls side seniors Jillian Yankey and Laura Liefer look to be the top two runners right now.
Coach Haxton also hopes his squads can make a little noise in the post-season.
"The goal for the boys team is to advance the entire team to state. The talent is there. I can't wait for the fourth and fifth boys to step up and show me what we can do. The team goal for the girls is to advance a team to the sectional meet and possibly one or two individuals to state."
With talented individuals and a winning attitude in place, this could be a big year for the Chester Yellow Jackets Cross Country program.