TMB FALL SPORTS PREVIEW: CROSS COUNTRY
Billy Dean is off and running as the new TMB cross county coach.
“Leading up to the season, I have been trying to do a lot of promoting for our sport,” said Dean, who is also a varsity assistant coach for the Panther track and field team. “I have been trying to get more numbers out and am still working on it. We also did a summer run camp this summer. We ran on Tuesday and Thursday mornings throughout the summer, trying to get our athletes some miles in before the season. Coach Buerkle, Coach Kat, and myself have been communicating all summer coming up with practice plans and how we want the season to go and the type of culture that we want and expect in our program.”
The cross country team lost a number of runners to graduation from a year ago, including veterans Hudson Jenniges, Hank Peterson, Ashton Daniels, Marin Knott, Mallorie Hicks and Mandie Pond, but have a nice core returning. Some of the runners to keep an eye on this fall are Jackson Jenniges, Weston Marten, Owen Beier, Noah Schmidt, Miranda Mischke, Evelyn Rentschler and Gracelynn Struchen.
“This season, I am expecting a lot of growth from our team,” said Dean. “I want to see our athletes compete to the best of their abilities in our practices and meets. I want to see both of our teams be in the mix during our meets, and I expect to have good team chemistry from the athletes to the coaching staff.”
Dean said although the team is young, there is a lot of potential. He said the athletes have shown a good work ethic this summer, showing a commitment to their workouts as well as support for their fellow harriers. And Dean has also surrounded himself with a solid coaching staff as well.
“I think our coaching staff is also a strength,” he said. “Coach Kat is in her second year and is going to be a big factor with our team, especially the WWG athletes. She has been great at communicating with athletes and families from WWG and she drives them to practice every day. She is easy to get a long with and can communicate and relate to athletes very well. Coach Buerkle is going to be an awesome addition to our school and coaching staff. He brings a lot of knowledge with him and has great communication and relates well with the athletes. I am really looking forward to working with both of them and working together to help our athletes be the best they can be.”
Dean said the Redwood Valley and Luverne boys teams will likely be strong again, as will the Redwood Valley and Canby/ Minneota girls teams, which were the top two squads in the section a year ago.
“Honestly, we are not looking past any team this year,” Dean said. “We were at the bottom of the pack last year for the boys and the girls and are looking to change that this year and to be a competitive team that teams won’t look past.”
TMB CROSS COUNTRY ROSTER Seniors: Logan Petersen, Adam Hippe Juniors: Payton Daniels, Jackson Jenniges, Weston Marten, Miranda Mischke, Evelyn Rentschler, Taylor Squires Sophomores: Owen Beier, Xander Brinkley, Tyson Petersen, Cohen Radke, Noah Schmidt, Gracelynn Struchen Freshmen: Zach Jones, Jaeda Nelson, Jaxter Pfarr Eighth grade: Stella Munson, Trajan Swanjord Seventh grade: Lainey Jackels, Gatlin Struchen, Sam Wiborg
