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Numbers are low but experience is high for both the girls and boys 2017 McDonald County High School cross country teams. "We have about the same number of girls, maybe a few less than last year," said Rustan Crockett, who enters his second year as head cross country coach. "There are one or two girls just haven't been there yet because school hasn't started. That's always a problem. We don't have any freshmen, but there are a few eighth graders that ran cross country last year and once school starts I think we will see them." On the boys side, Crockett returns most of the boys team after losing one to graduation and one who switched to football. "We have seven boys, which is down a little but enough for a full team," Crock- ett said. "Of course I would always want more." Crockett said he has been working on ways to recruit runners, but admits running is a "tough sell" for lots of kids. "We are doing some team-building things outside of practice time," Crock- ett said. "We want to have a little more bonding time — fun time, so it isn't always just running." Sophomore Addy Mick leads the girls' team. Mick's time of 21:58 for a 5K ranks as eighth best all-time on McDonald County Lady Mustangs' all-time bests. "She is looking to improve that this year," said coach Rustan Crockett. "She has been working hard and I think she will be able to do that." Slated in the number two spot is senior Andrea Creason. Crockett said he thinks Creason will break into the top 10 this season. Istarlin Aden is the other senior girl on the team. "Andrea and Istarlin both took one year off, but have been around the program quite a bit," Crockett said. "We have some good leadership from our upperclassmen." Juniors Liberty Boer and Natalie Staib round out the squad at this point. "Liberty transferred from Neosho last year in the middle of the season," Crock- ett said. "We are pumped to see what she can do after training all summer and having the entire preseason. Natalie has been running since seventh grade so she knows the program very well." Crocket said the goals for the girls' team include improving on a ninth place in districts last year. "I think having a seventh place at districts would be a great improvement," Crockett said. I want to send multiple runners from districts to state. Addy was second team All-Conference last year and I would like to have more than that on this year's All-Conference team." Leading the boys team are senior Alex Guadarrama and sophomore David Lazalde. "It's an interesting race to see who our number one boy is going to be," 702 A Mark Twain Circle South West City, MO 64863 417-762-3487 HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SOUTHWEST CITY Good Luck Athletes! Good Luck Mustangs Corner Stone Station 1000 South Main • Southwest City, MO (417) 762-4262 Weekdays: 7 am - 9 pm • Weekends 7 am - 10 pm liquor • gas lotto • diesel Thursday, August 24, 2017 McDonald County Press 9C F a l l S p o r t S p r e v i e w By Rick Peck Special to McDonald County Press PHOTO BY RICK PECK Senior members of the 2017 McDonald County High School cross country team. Left to right: Andrea Creason, Alex Guadarrama and Istarlin Aden. Cross Country 9-12 sChedule DAY DATE OPPONENT LEVEL LOCATION TIME Saturday Sept. 2 Mustang Duel Var/JV Jane 9 a.m. Saturday Sept. 9 Ray-Pec Varsity Raymore TBA Saturday Sept. 16 Southern Stampede Var/JV MSSU TBA Saturday Sept. 23 Rim Rock Varsity Lawrence, Kan. TBA Saturday Sept. 23 Patriot Invite Jr. Varsity East Newton HS 10 a.m. Saturday Sept. 30 Chile Pepper Festival Var/JV UofA CC Facility 11 a.m. Monday Oct. 9 Cassville Invite Var/JV Cassville TBA Saturday Oct. 14 Big 8 Conference Meet Varsity Cassville TBA Saturday Oct. 21 District Varsity Raymore TBA Saturday Oct. 28 Sectionals Varsity Away TBA Saturday Nov. 4 State Varsity Oak Hill Golf Course-Jefferson City TBA Experience High For Cross Country Teams SEE CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 10C