Just 6 out for FSHS cross country team

Fort Scott High School cross-country coach Tracey Bogina has just six athletes this season. The three boys are all returning runners. The girls are all new.

Bogina says that though she would like more runners, she can give each one individual attention, an extension of the way she handles things in the classroom.

"I tend to now, in this stage of my career, really individualize things for kids," Bogina said Tuesday afternoon. "Not all kids can do the same things. So you give them individual goals and when they meet them, you move them up from there.

"I wish we had triple the numbers. The good thing about Fort Scott right now is that we offer a tremendous amount of choice in athletic programs and I think we're meeting a lot of needs. We don't lose anyone to other sports but we're not gaining many."

Seniors Robert Sellers and Kyle Altic will be the only varsity runners when the season opens Thursday at Labette County. Sophomore Skyler Cruise is also back but will run junior varsity.

"Robert was all-league honorable mention last year," Bogina said. "And he was not too many places from going to State. Robert had a good season last year.

"Kyle is running very well right now. He's working hard. He's just a good to coach."

All three girls are sophomores -- Katren Rienbolt, Ashton Mason and Rebecca Page.

"Ashton and Rebecca are learning," Bogina said. "They're first-year athletes in cross country. We're getting them up to a couple of miles and they're getting better.

"Katren is ... a hard worker and a tremendous athlete because of it. She's really focused."

Labette County's meet will begin at 4 p.m. this year after starting in the morning to avoid the head in past years. On Sept. 8, Fort Scott will host its annual invitational on the Mercy Hospital grounds.