Middle school athletes compete in cross country
Staff reporter
Are cross country runners getting smaller? No, they're getting younger.
This is the first year Marion Middle School athletes have the opportunity to participate in cross country.
Bethany Carlson, first-year cross country coach for both MMS and Marion High School teams, said it was athletic director Tod Gordon's decision.
"There was some interest from middle school kids," Gordon said. "Bethany was encouraged and the board approved it."
Gordon had noticed there were more middle school runners participating in cross country.
"The runners have to arrive at the meets early anyway so it doesn't really change the time schedule to leave for meets," Gordon said.
Typically, the middle school team runs before the high school.
The younger participants run shorter distances — seventh graders run a mile, eighth graders two miles.
Beginning this year, the distance for high school girls has been increased from 2.48 miles or 4K instead of two miles. The boys will remain the same at 5K or 3.11 miles.
Carlson participated in cross country at Council Grove High School.
"I loved it," Carlson said. "I love to run."
She is excited about the additional team of middle school runners.
"It is a great advantage for the runners to have two additional years of experience when they enter high school competition," she said.
There are three runners representing MMS — Brandon Meierhoff, eighth grade, and Jesse Taylor and Samantha Eickleberry, both seventh graders.
Carlson is confident the program will continue to grow.
This year, there are 16 high school students participating in cross country. The top seven runners comprise the varsity each week.
The next meet is Thursday at Hesston when just the high school team competes. The only home meet is at 4 p.m. Sept. 21, and both teams will compete.
Carlson and her husband are expecting their first child in a few weeks. Former cross country coach Rex Ostmeyer will step in and assist when the time comes.
The cross country season runs 11 weeks, concluding at the end of October.
