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Thursday, August 23, 2018 McDonald County Press 9C F a l l S p o r t S p r e v i e w Cross Country Hopes To Take Next Step COACH CROCKETT EXPECTS THIS YEAR'S TEAMS TO BE BEST HE'S COACHED Rick Peck Special to McDonald County Press With almost all the boys' team back along with three starters from the girls' team, the outlook for the 2018 McDonald County High School cross country teams is bright. "I'm excited about the team and the season," said Rustan Crockett, head coach of both teams. "I've coached the core of this group since seventh grade in track or cross country or both. Each year they take another step forward, and I expect them to do the same this year. For some it will be in the form of a big personal record, while for others it will be trying to fill the running shoes of great team leaders who have graduated like Alex Guadarrama. With the pieces we have, I fully expect these to be the best boys' and girls' teams I have coached." Leading the returners for the boys is junior David Lazalde. Lazalde and Guadarrama were the lone McDonald County qualifiers for sectionals. "David is our number one runner," Crockett said. "He always sets big goals." Lazalde has several teammates nipping at his heels. Junior Jackson Behm followed Lazalde and Guadar- rama at districts last year with fellow juniors Garrett Spears, Elijah Habert, Tyler Moritz and senior Bryce Berryhill rounding out the 2017 district results. Returning letterman Tyler Moritz is also in the mix. "Bryce is a motivated senior with more potential than he knows," Crockett said. "Jackson and Garrett are about to have a breakout year." Newcomers to the boys' team are Ryan, King, Brandon Garcia, Justin Smith, Eli Jackson, Garrett Anderson, Daniel Fox and Matthew McCall. Junior Addy Mick was the girls' number one runner the past two years and expectations are for more the same this season. Natalie Staib was number two last year and returns for her senior season. Mick finished 40th at the district championships last year, missing a sectional berth by 10 spots, while Staib was 55th. "Addy was our number one as a fresh- man and sophomore," Crockett said. "Natalie made a huge jump last year and looks to build on that this year." Brooklynn Winters is a returning RICK PECK/SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS McDonald County High School 2018 girls' and boys' cross country teams. Front left to right: Kalyn Stetina, Haley Mick, Addy Mick, Natalie Staib and Brooklynn Winters. Second row: Matthew McCall, Ryan King, Daniel Fox and Eli Jackson. Back row: Brandon Garcia, Tyler Moritz, Jackson Behm and Garrett Spears. Not present: Bryce Berryhill, David Lazalde, Elijah Habert, Justin Smith and Garrett Anderson. McDonald County High School 2018 Cross Country Roster Boys Name Class Bryce Berryhill Sr. David Lazalde Jr. Garrett Spears Jr. Tyler Moritz Jr. Jackson Behm Jr. Elijah Habert Jr. Brandon Garcia Jr. Ryan King Jr. Justin Smith Soph. Garrett Anderson Fr. Eli Jackson Fr. Matthew McCall Fr. Daniel Fox Fr. Girls Natalie Staib Sr. Addy Mick Jr. Brooklyn Winters Soph. Kalyn Stetina Fr. Haley Mick Fr. SEE CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 11C