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Cross country teams to open on Saturday
Smoky Mountain’s men’s and women’s cross country teams will open their seasons Saturday, Aug. 26, in the Western North Carolina Cross Country Carnival at Jackson Park in Hendersonville.
“The kids are working extremely hard,” Coach Lawson Hopper said. “They have great attitudes and are giving 110 percent. With that type of work ethic, we’ll have a great season.”
Nine runners are out for the women’s team, but only four are out for the men’s squad. Hopper is hoping at least one more runner comes out so they will have the minimum of five men to qualify for team standings.
Returnees for the women include junior Katie Hayes and sophomores Emily Butcher, Emily Cowan, Tori O’Neill and Cadence Railsback. Newcomers are junior Talisa Lossiah, sophomore Caitlin Stehling, and freshmen Chelsea Lydeem and Aaron Young.
Seniors John Cody and Trey Franks are back for the men. They are joined by sophomores Paul Hammer and Josh Seay.
“I feel real good about the season,” Hopper said. “The numbers look real good with the girls. We just need a few more guys to come out.”
The schedule is as follows:
Aug. 26 – WNC Cross Country Carnival at Hendersonville; 31 – at West Henderson.
Sept. 7 – at North Buncombe; 14 – at North Henderson; 21 – at Owen (Black Mountain Recreation Center); 28 – Asheville Track Club Meet at Carrier Park.
Oct. 5 – at Franklin; 12 – at Christ School; 19 – Western Athletic Conference Meet (site to be announced).
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