Mitchell cross country team continuing to build a strong foundation

Mitchell High School's cross country team is gearing up for the upcoming fall season, aiming to build a strong foundation despite a thin squad of upperclassmen. Eight varsity long-distance runners graduated last year, with five from the boys' side and three from the girls' side, leaving the Kernels with no senior boys and only two senior girls. Londyn Schroeder and Averi Gerfen are returning for their final seasons, but Schroeder will miss some competitions due to an ACL injury sustained during basketball season.

Under head coach Katie Buschbach, the team is entering the new year with a mix of rising leaders, underclassmen, and experienced runners. On the boys' side, Micah Bennett, a freshman, is set to lead the team. Bennett, who competed in last year's state meet, finished 11th at the Platte-Geddes Invite with a time of 18:52.1. Other rising stars include Karsten Herges, a rising sophomore who has attended state meets since he was a seventh-grader, and Will Mullenmeister, Kaiden Colomb, Blake Russell, and Carter Buschbach, who will contribute to the youthful energy of the team.

On the girls' side, Schroeder and Gerfen will be the main leaders. Schroeder finished 42nd in state last season with a team-high time of 19:56.3, while Gerfen, Kapri Herges, Skylar Lawson, and Sydnie Pischel also competed in the state meet the previous year. Although Schroeder is expected to miss some competitions this season due to her ACL injury, Gerfen has stepped up as a leader, filling the void left by Schroeder's absence.

As the team begins its season, Buschbach emphasizes the importance of focusing as a unit and enjoying their time together. The Kernels' first competition of the season will be the annual Mitchell Invite on Thursday, August 27, at Wild Oak Country Club.