PHS runners ready to go

Over the past couple years Park Hill South Boys Cross Country has been on a roll. Not only were they 2007 and 2008 Big Six Conference Champs, but they also went on to qualify for sectionals after their district performances in both 2007 and 2008. Last year they finished 7th as a team at sectionals.

They’ll be returning five lettermen from last season’s team including senior James Bowlin, senior Dean Frazier, senior Sam Peak, senior Brandon Wieser, and junior Austen Ortiz. Senior Tyler Arthur and sophomore Tim Albright are also expected to contribute to the mix this year.

Coach Brad Banning sees this season as a test of character. Even with five lettermen returning, it could have been close to nine. Two kids moved way, one changed his sport to soccer, and another wasn’t eligible because of grades.

“Extra effort is the key to success," Banning said. "Those runners who did the work over the summer will have success"

Once again the Panthers are looking to repeat previous years’ success by competing for the conference title and another top four district finish in order to qualify for sectionals as a team.

The Park Hill South Girls Cross Country team finised 2nd last year at the conference meet and went onto place 4th at districts which qualified them as a team for sectionals. They also finished 8th in the Kansas City All Metro meet.

Three varsity runners return this season for the Panthers including two-time sectional qualifier Lauren Black along with sectional qualifiers Miranda Norfleet and Amy Wilsey. Head Coach Pamela Lerch will look for them to be strong again. Evan Willsey, Keirstie Bischoof, and Abby Werner will be looked at to make an impact on the team. Also looking good so far are newcomers DeeDee O’Toole, Lizzy Jurries, Hannah Walsh, Mackenzie Capps, Kerry Mass and Anna Schaeffer.

There won’t be a shortage of competition within the team. South has 52 girls out this year for cross country.

“Our key to success is to continually motivate and challenge one another. We have a very large team so there is never a runner who finds herself unchallenged,” Lerch said.