As cross country heads to the state meet on Nov. 11 at Hereford, they will look for leadership from top runners on both girls and boys after finishing the season 2-3 and 4-1, respectively. The team is looking for big performances from senior boys Chris Moen and Brian Graves as well as freshman girls Anna Bosse and Maria Moersen.

Moen has already impressed many, including his coaches.

“After coaching for 37 years, he’s the boy with the most talent I have ever coached,” said coach Greg Dunston. “Mr. Martin and I are trying to get him to run and relax, not feel pressure since he’s so good.”

Moen proved to be a consistent threat last season, when he won seven of eight races. This season Moen finished first in three of seven races, earning the admiration of his teammates.

Although he is the lead performer, the team attributes their success to other runners as well.

“Chris Moen has led the team,” said junior Matthew Kastler. “But lately Brian Graves and Roni Teich have been performing well too.”

Besides Moen, the team has threats in Graves, who placed in the top five in six of seven races, and Teich, who has not been far behind, with two fifth places finishes and top twelve finishes in five of seven races.

“The most important are our four through seven guys,” said Moen. “I can have a bad race and only change the result by a point, but the four through seven guys can have a big impact on our results.”

The boys’ success is exemplified by their performance in the Manhattan Invitational, where they placed fifth out of 41 teams from around the nation.

However, they did not live up to expectations at counties, where they finished sixth and defending champion Moen placed 21st overall, followed by Teich at 25th and Graves at 31st.

“Boys had an off day and did not run their best,” said coach Tom Martin. “A lot of them were disappointed by their performances, and we thought they would finish closer to second place.”

Despite the letdown, the freshmen showed promise. Nick Regan and Alex Willett finished first and second in the freshman boys race.

“Alex Willett and Nick Regan are the best additions to the team,” said Kastler. “I think they will be our leading competition.”

Though the girls had a bumpy season, finishing 2-3, they impressed many at counties, placing eighth of 25 teams.

“I thought our girls ran their best race,” said Martin. “Thirteen teams were faster than us going into the race and we finished in eighth. We improved a lot in that race.”

Bosse, a major addition to the team, has finished first in two races and in the top ten in two others. Bosse’s season and performance at the county meet impressed Martin.

“She had a great race; her time was 19:39,” said Martin. “In years past that would have been good enough to win the race. It was impressive. She finished seventeenth and second for the freshmen.”

Top finishers include Moersen at 45th, sophomore Jenna Willett at 47th, senior Ann Marie Decker at 48th, and sophomore Johna Applestein at 52nd. Despite her success, Bosse looks to improve at the state meet.

“I want to get in the low 19s and in the top 15 finishers,” said Bosse.

The girls have a plethora of new talent they hope will lead to a strong finish at upcoming regional and state meets.

Regional results occurred too late to be covered in this issue.