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Cross country teams start practice Monday
Smoky Mountain’s cross country teams will open practice Monday, Aug. 20.
Runners should meet at 9 a.m. behind the gym.
Coach Lawson Hopper said everyone must have a physical before starting practice.
“I feel real good about the season,” he said. “Cadence Railsback narrowly missed making state last year. I expect her to have a real good junior year.”
Approximately 17 runners have shown an interest in joining the men’s and women’s teams.
“I have quite a few who have signed up to come out,” Hopper said. “Sometimes kids sign up and don’t show, but sometimes they show up and bring friends with them.”
Those who do join the teams will have their first meet Aug. 30 at West Henderson.
“We’re going to build on what we accomplished last year,” the coach said. “We have great team spirit and attitude. They all have the same goal. They want to get better. If they carry that into this season, there’s no reason we should not have a great year.”
While he’s unsure how the team will fare, Hopper said there’s more to the season than where the squads place in meets.
“My focus has never been about the winning,” he said. “It’s about treating that kid with respect and trying to get that kid to drop that time. We want them to like running and not hate it.”
The schedule is as follows:
Aug. 30 – at West Henderson.
Sept. 6 – at North Buncombe; 13 – at North Henderson; 15 – at Western Carolina University Invitational; 20 – at Brevard; 27 – Asheville Track Club Fall Classic at Carrier Park.
Oct. 4 - at Franklin; 11 – at Christ School; 18 – Western Athletic Conference Meet at WCU; 27 – 2-A Regionals at Jackson Park, Hendersonville.
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