Horizon High School Cross Country Season Preview

As the new season approaches, excitement is building for the Horizon High School boys' and girls' cross-country teams. Both teams have a strong foundation of returning players from last season, as well as some promising new additions. I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Anthony Barnes about the team's strengths and goals for the upcoming season. In this article, we will dive into the dynamics of this year's team and what we can expect to see on the course. The teams have high hopes for success this year with the top returning players from last season. On the boys' side, junior Jacob Finch leads the pack. Not only is he the top time and school record holder for the 5K distance, but he also has the potential to qualify for the state competition. Senior Girmay Buck is another key member of the team, consistently placing first throughout last season, and Junior Mason Paulsberg has shown significant improvement and is primed for a standout season. The girls' team also has a strong core of returning athletes. Junior Maryn Whitesell is the school record holder and consistently placed as the number one runner last season. Senior Joslyn Armstrong and sophomore Madelyn Schwarzmueller bring valuable experience to the team, and senior Katelynn Lehman showed significant improvement toward the end of last year. While the top returning players will lead the team, Coach Barnes also has high expectations for some new players. Freshman Maleik Lewis has shown great potential and will be battling for a top spot on the boys' team with his impressive workouts over the summer. Another player to keep an eye on is junior Andrew Hurm, who has shown significant improvement and could potentially be one of the team's captains. When it comes to choosing team captains, Coach Barnes looks for players who are respected by their peers and consistently lead by example. They must also have strong communication skills and a deep understanding of the team's goals and objectives. These qualities are essential in maintaining team chemistry and camaraderie, which are crucial components of a successful team. Every team has its unique dynamics, and building chemistry and camaraderie can be challenging. Coach Barnes plans to implement various activities outside of practice to bond and build relationships within the team. He emphasizes the importance of respectful behavior and discourages any negative attitudes, reminding his athletes that they are here to support and build each other up.