By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

Goessel cross-country has become a happy family.

“We look out for each other,” senior Elyse Boden said. “No one is left behind.”

The races are consistent for everyone, which helps the runners bond with each other, Dawson Duerksen said.

“Everyone runs the same distance and you help the team by improving,” he said. “In track and field it’s more of an individual sport.”

Finding motivation often comes down to a drive for personal improvement, senior Porclein Unruh said.

“Cross-country is a mental sport,” she said. “You work at being the best you can be.”

Last year, the boys’ team qualified for state and finished seventh out of 12 schools.

This year, the 11 runners on the men’s team will look to senior Jerah Schmidt for leadership.

Duerksen and fellow junior Brendon Hicks will try to maintain their positions at the head of the pack after eclipsing 19 minutes last season.

“If we can get four runners under 19 minutes, we hope make a return trip to state,” Lightner said.

Boden and Unruh return to lead a team of four Goessel girls, hoping to improve after running their best times at the regional meet last year.

“If they focus on improving each day and continue to encourage each other through the tough, early meets of the season, then they will show big improvement by the end,” Lightner said.