Young Trojan runners are setting the tone

With Coach Jason Parr in his first season leading the Park Hill girls cross country team, you knew there would be a change in attitude and pace for the Trojans runners. You also knew with the top runners all freshmen and sophomores they would be a young team. The Trojans have laid substantial building blocks for the future this season and are hoping their young team is one to reckon with in coming years. It was on display last weekend as the Trojans placed third place in the conference meet, falling just short of second as a team by a combined two minutes with their top runner, Kim Rau, placing fourth individually.

It was just three weeks ago when Park Hill competed in the Rim Rock Classic in Lawrence, one of the largest races of the year, and came away with a first place finish in their division. Although Parr circled the race at the beginning of the season, he believes it was something that helped the girls build momentum and confidence.

“I think what really got the girls’ attention was winning the Rim Rock Classic Blue Division,” Parr said. “I reminded our girls that if we can run like this at one of the toughest courses in the Midwest then expect great opportunity later on.”

The Trojans have been fairly consistent with finishes in the top half of their races all season. Their top runners have remained a steady group of athletes including Rau, Brooke Bischof, Chelsey Lewis, Maggie Lanham and Joanna Grauberger along with Paige Carey, Maddie Bischof and Maddie Hemphill rounding out the varsity team. Rau has been the team’s top placer in each race and seen significant success as a freshman.

“Kim is a very quiet competitor. She just focuses on what she has to do and she does it,” Parr said of Rau. “She is one of the most talented distance runners I have ever seen.”

The Trojan runners have plenty of praise to go around though, as Parr also said he believes he has one of the most talented teams the school has ever had. With a team of freshmen and sophomores, there appear to be some promising days ahead for the program. One thing Parr realizes with such a young group, leadership is important.

“It’s really hard for them to understand what leadership is at this point. I think when a coach has this young of a group it is hard for any of them to determine who is going to be the leader,” Parr said.

With the district meet coming up this weekend and a state meet qualification on the line, there’s no mistaking that challenges are still ahead.

“I’m empowering each and every runner on our team to take control of their own destiny,” Parr said of his team message. “I reminded our girls that if average racing is all you are going to do then expect to be average runners and get average results.”