Staff writer
Of the five athletes on Centre’s cross country team, junior CJ Thompson is the only returning letter winner.
Thompson advanced to varsity as a freshman and qualified for the state meet last year. His personal record is 19 minutes, 37 seconds.
“I started cross country in eighth grade to get in shape for basketball,” he said. “I found out I was good at it, so I stayed with it.”
He said he did not have a good run at state last year and is looking forward to returning this year.
Other returning runners are sophomores Tanner Wiggans and Jordan Miller.
Juniors Kate Basore and Emily Schlesener are participating for the first time. Coach Julie Keithline expects them to be competitive.
Junior high participants include sixth graders Matt Basore and Lili Espinoza and seventh grader Tanner Stuchlik and Jenna Haire.
Keithline said she is hoping more runners will earn medals and set new personal records.
“I want them to have fun and build running skills with teamwork,” she said.