Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Tonia Copeland/Western NEbraska Observer Kimball's Cross Country team returns several runners, after losing the top two to graduation and injury last year, and adds some energetic young talent. Pictured above, from front left, are team manager (injured reserve) Zach Wagner, front row, Jordan Cluff, Brandi Councilman, Christopher Barker, Cole Henton and Alex Flores. Standing, from left, are Kaylyn Nelson, Thomas Lenzen, Brady Kilgore, Garrett Pedersen, Kaden Adrian, Alex Reader and Nicholas Thomas-Lewis.
Veteran coach Tiffany Johnson returns for her 11th year with the Kimball Cross Country team and assistant coach Laurie Janicek is, again, at her side.
The boys team proved successful throughout the years, taking second at the Western Trails Conference last year as well as third at the South Platte Valley Association Conference, third place at Districts and 14th as a team at the state competition.
Johnson lost both of last year's top runners, Brandon Barker to graduation and Zachary Wagner to a season-ending injury in the summer. This year the team boasts several returning key runners and adds some talented newcomers.
Returning letter winners, each of whom have shown unparalleled dedication, include seniors Kaden Adrian, Garrett Pedersen and Nicholas Thomas-Lewis along with underclassman Thomas Lenzen.
"I expect to see some positive leadership and dedication to helping themselves, and our team, continually improve," Johnson said.
Joining the ranks of seasoned teammates, returning runner Alex Reader, a 2015 cross country letter winner and well-rounded athlete, along with senior Kaylyn Nelson will provide some needed leadership and encouragement to newcomer Brandi Councilman as the only ladies currently out for the sport.
This year will be another rebuilding year for the girl's team, and while the three ladies can compete individually, they will not be able to do so as a team.
"We would like to get a couple more girls out so that they can have a team," Johnson said. "We need our other boys to step up and work hard to fill those big voids."
Despite rebuilding the girl's team again this year, Johnson looks forward to the coming season and seeing the growth in each of her athletes.
"The boys and girls all work really hard and push one another at practice," she said. "They want to see each other continually improve."
