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With a mix of veterans and promising newcomers, McDonald County cross country coach Ashleigh McFarland is optimistic heading into the season. "Expectations are high," McFarland said in an email. "We are a young, building team and program with many returners and some new faces. We are looking forward to being able to compete as a team on both sides this year, and excited to watch improvement in the conference." Last year, the McDonald County boys' team had two runners finish in the top 25 in the district meet. "They improved steadily," McFar- land said of that group. "But with such a young team, [they] did not score as well as hoped as a team. Numbers and speed are much better this year — look- ing forward to improvement." Four return from that squad. "Lane Pratt was the former XC MVP," McFarland said. "He should be a strong returner to lead the program. Tyler Rothrock is another key returner. He only got stronger and faster during track season and worked hard all summer. Big improvements are expected from both." And a couple of younger runners are also making good impressions. "Zeth Dake and Corbin Holly are freshmen that are standing out early in the season," McFarland said. "They are keeping up with the upperclassmen and are improving quickly." The girls' team had one runner at the state meet last season. "Only three girls total, so [they] couldn't compete as a team," McFar- land said. All three scored in the top 30 in the conference and district meets, McFar- land noted. Two runners return. "Anna B elle P rice and Madison Burton push each other daily to work hard and improve," McFarland said. "There are big things in store for both of them. They are great leaders with great attitudes for our girls' team." Mireya Sebastian and McKenzie Horton are key newcomers. "Kenzie had a great track season to set her up in a good position to do well as a freshman," McFarland said. "Mireya comes to us from soccer in order to stay ready for that season. She will contribute in a huge way from the start." McDonald County will run in the Neosho Warmup on Aug. 28 before visiting Aurora on Sept. 2. 8C McDonald County Press Thursday, August 26, 2021 2 0 2 1 F a l l S p o r t S p r e v i e w By Al Gaspeny Special to McDonald County Press Cross Country Runners Eager To Keep Building Program RICK PECK/FILE PHOTO Madison Burton runs during a cross country meet last season. CROSS COUNTRY Girls Name Grade Anna Belle Price 11 Madison Burton 10 Anna Clarkson 10 Mireya Sebastian 10 Chloe Sherrell 10 Hailey Toney 10 Kenzie Horton 9 Chloe Burk 9 Boys Name Grade Davyn Bennand 12 Cross Spencer 11 Hunter Leach 11 Lane Pratt 10 Dylan Ferdig 10 Tyler Rothrock 10 Zeth Drake 9 Corbin Holly 9 SEE CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 10C