Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The Kimball Cross Country team are pictured above, from front left: Draven Vickery, Connor McGinnis, Jordan McGinnis, Maddison Merryfield, Chantel Malson and Anabela Whitehead. Back row from left: unknown, Christopher Barker, Stephen Bateman, Brady Kilgore, Brandi Councilman, Cole Henton, Thomas Lenzen and Zach Wagner.
The Kimball Cross Country teams return with promising talent under veteran coaches Tiffany Johnson and Laurie Janicek.
Last year the ladies lacked the numbers needed to compete as a team, with just three runners. Two of those three graduated leaving the sole returning runner on the girls team, sophomore Brandi Councilman.
Councilman lettered her first year running for the Horns and she is joined this year by freshman Chantel Malson, who had a stunning season last year as a junior high runner as well as freshmen Maddison Merryfield and Anabela Whitehead.
"We have a great bunch of freshman coming in to fill out a team with Brandi the only returning member form last years squad. The freshman are some really good runners who are are determined to do well," Johnson said.
She added that all of the Horns "run well and push each other."
Graduation took a toll on the boys team as well, with Kaden Adrian, Garrett Pedersen and Nicholas Thomas-Lewis moving on.
Kimball's boys team returns senior leaders Thomas Lenzen, Brady Kilgore and Zach Wagner. Lenzen finished ninth in SPVA, 18th in WTC and 19th in districts. Kilgore finished 35th in SPVA, 52nd in WTC and 71st in districts. Wagner was injured at the very beginning of his previous season and was unable to compete.
"We are excited to have Zach Wagner back this year after having a season ending injury before the season started last year. He has really big goals for himself as he was a state qualifier his freshman and sophomore years," Johnson said.
Sophomore Cole Henton returns this year as well as a letter earner.
The boys' team earned fifth last year in both the Western Trails Conference and South Platte Valley Association as well as fifth in last year's district finish.
"Thomas, Brady and Cole are also returning letter winners from last year and and will help fill out a team that will compete well throughout the season," Johnson said. "We have great leadership from the seniors and they push the younger competitors to do well."