Cross Country Off To Strong Start

Grain Valley citizens have likely spotted the Grain Valley High School Cross Country team on the roads throughout the summer and after school, and the team has finally kicked off its season last weekend at the Fort Osage Cross Country Open Kickoff.

Coach Nick Small, entering his 9 th year of coaching Cross Country at Grain Valley High School and 6 th year as head coach, is pleased with the strong start on both the Boys’ and Girls’ teams.

The Girls’ team is very young, with no seniors and one junior participating this season. Youth has not been a detriment thus far.

Freshman Ella Casey kicked off her high school career with a first place run in the two mile run at the Fort Osage Kickoff, with a time of 12:23.70.

Casey believes her teammates have been a great support and she is excited to see what the season holds for her individually and for the team.

“I’m excited to see how far I get. I’d like to get to State,” Casey said.

Casey said her mother encouraged her to get involved in middle school Cross Country after she ran a 5K and did well. Casey had advice for middle school students considering Cross Country.

“Just try it. Focus on doing your best and run for yourself,” Casey said.

Small praised the middle school program.

“Coach Beyers runs a great program at the middle school level and encourages her kids to come out with us in the summer. This helps to start to form relationships with older

students, and incoming freshmen know what it takes. Coach Beyers really helps build that momentum as they come through the program,” Small said.

Small thinks the Boys’ team is more balanced in terms of upper and lower classmen. The boys’ team had a strong showing at the Fort Osage Kickoff as well, taking 7 of the top 10 spots.

Sophomore Collin Clemens placed

third at Fort Osage, with a time of 10:45.55. Clemens said he is confident going into the season and feels his team is poised for success.

“We have been working really

hard. We just have to trust our training,” Clemens said. He is likewise eyeing State as a personal goal.

The team heads to the inaugural Tim Nixon Invitational in Liberty on September 1st.

“We’re excited to go there and be a part of it, not just to be a part of the festivities there, but to have the opportunity to compete against the larger teams in the area,” Small said. The team will take 8 members to the Forest Park Cross Country Festival in St. Louis the following weekend.

The team will host the 5 th Annual Sock It to Breast Cancer Grain Valley Invitational on September 29 th at the Grain Valley North Middle School/ Central Office complex.

“Our maintenance department

does a fantastic job of helping us prepare for the meet at that location, and we love having it out there,” Small said.

The public is welcome to attend, and concessions will be made available for all spectators and athletes located just outside North Middle School near the entrance to the commons area and bathrooms.

Small also expressed his appreciation to area drivers for their patience and attention to the student athletes running around town.

“We thank Grain Valley citizens for lending us their roads,” Small said.

Fort Osage XC Open Kickoff ResultsGirls Results (top 10):1 Ella Casey Grain Valley 12:23.702 Brooklyne Sederwall Fort Osage 13:10.413 Alaina Valverde Grain Valley 13:32.984 Kyle Huber Grain Valley 13:54.215 Kailey Larson Grain Valley 14:01.886 Sophie Broockerd Grain Valley 14:03.687 Anngelina Lyons Fort Osage 14:15.448 Valerie Holcomb Grain Valley 14:16.349 Nicole Jackson Cameron 14:17.6310 Natalie Garr Cameron 14:25.26

Boys Results (top 10):1 Michael Rebello Excelsior 10:37.252 Michael Reddick Fort Osage 10:38.703 Collin Clemens Grain Valley 10:45.554 Royce Fisher Grain Valley 10:58.075 Nic Dean Grain Valley 11:11.886 Jake Sanders Grain Valley 11:19.197 Jaxson Jarman Grain Valley 11:29.208 Steven Romines Grain Valley 11:33.609 Austyn Smith Fort Osage 11:34.5710 Mason McCain Grain Valley 11:35.63

Source: MileSplit MO

Freshman Ella Casey kicked off her high school career with a first place run in the two mile run at the Fort Osage Kickoff, with a time of 12:23.70.

Sophomore Collin Clemens placed third at Fort Osage, with a time of 10:45.55.