Cross country opener could be held up

If things went as planned, then Fort Scott High School's cross country team is opening its season today at Labette County's invitational in Altamont, as it does every year.

However, as the remains of Hurricane Gustav continued falling Wednesday night, there was a strong possibility that the meet might not be held. Conditions might be too slick, which would present a danger to the athletes. Ironically, the LCHS meet is usually held in the morning to beat the heat of a typical early September afternoon.

Four boys and six girls are out of the team with most of them in their first year. The only experienced runners are junior Charlie Sercer, sophomore Colton Ballou and senior Kim Stone.

Other boys out are junior Julian Wickert and sophomore Keenan Gregory. The other girls are sophomores Leah Cassleman, Katelyn Torres and Megan Tourtillott and freshmen Jenna Harper and Autumn Owenby.

Long-time head coach Tracey Bogina says that everyone but Sercer, who has the most experience, will run on the junior varsity at first.

"We have so many new kids," Bogina says. "We want to get them initiated into the sport."

However, a lack of experience does not bring a lack of enthusiasm from Bogina. As she sees it, having young people out who are excited to run cross country is good for the program long term.

"I look at it as a good thing that we're young," Bogina said. "I don't see it as lack of experience but as a youth movement for down the road. I'm pleased to have this group excited about running. It's going to be fun to see this group excited about cross country."

2008 FORT SCOTT HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

All levels run on the same day. Meets begin at 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Today........at Labette County, 9 a.m.

Sept. 11.....FORT SCOTT INVITATIONAL

Sept. 18.....Parsons meet at Big Hill Lake

Sept. 25.....at Iola-Doc Stiles Invitational

Oct. 2.......at Pittsburg (Four Oaks)

Oct. 9.......at Independence

Oct. 16......SOUTHEAST KANSAS LEAGUE MEET

Oct. 25......Class 4A Regional Meet

Nov. 1.......Class 4A State Meet at Wamego