Running the Distance
By: August Ross
Dupo’s Cross Country team kicked off the season strong. Their first meet was at Civic Memorial High School. Ashley Merrell, a Junior, proudly won a 17th place medal. She is the best girl runner on the team since her personal best is 23 minutes for 3 miles. With that, the best boy is Senior Noah Theurer with his personal best at 19 minutes for a 3 mile course. This year the team gained a new coach named Coach Huelskamp, he is a great addition who brings a fresh perspective and a helping hand. The seniors of the team include Page Mushaney and August Ross for the girls and Noah Theurer and Gavin Calhoun for the boys. Everyone on the team has been putting in the work running day in and day out. Over the summer and during the fall season, the team practices in all kinds of weather to prepare for the season. Coach Mendoza said, “Coach Huelskamp and I are very optimistic on how the team will do this year. Our boys side has really grown in numbers and our girls are holding solid. So far, Ashley Merrell has brought home some hardware from our race at New Athens on August 28th. We're very excited to see where the season takes us!” Their next race is at the SIUE Campus on Saturday, September 16. We wish them luck!