Trending
EBEN JUNCTION -- Holding their own in a season-opening cross country meet has the Superior Central teams feeling a bit optimistic as they continue their season.
The Superior Central girls were runners-up to host Munising and the boys took fifth in the Larissa Vartti Memorial Invitational here August 19, which also marked the varsity coaching debut for Stephanie Lovell.
The Cougars, who have seven girls and five boys on their roster, resume in Friday's Dale Phillips Invitational at Marquette Friday at 10 a.m.
A trio of their runners placed in the top 10 at Valley Spur, including freshman Edye Burdett, who took third in the girls' race by covering the hilly 3.1-mile course in 22 minutes, 20 seconds.
Freshman Jaxon Klyk was fourth among the boys at 19:54 and junior Kendra Pederson was seventh in the girls' race (24:56).
"It was an exciting start to our season," Lovell said. "The Munising girls have a very strong team. Edye had a very successful junior high season last year and I think Jaxon surprised himself. This was little bit of an adjustment for Edye. She and Kendra have become training partners and they're pushing each other along."
Other girls' hopefuls include senior Remington Johnson, juniors Emma Stoliecki, Aiyana Taskey and Meredith Kempker and sophomore Kristina Christiansen.
"Remi definitely surprised us and got her first medal and Emma and Aiyana are very motivated girls," Lovell said. "The kids are pretty determined. They come to work everyday."
Joining Klyk on the boys' squad are senior Zander Mullins, junior Gavin Stebleton, sophomore Scott Losee and freshman Matthias Shigwadja.
"The boys are pushing each other," Lovell said. "We're excited to have two full teams. This is an educational experience for some of the kids. One thing about cross country is you're running for yourself and your team. I'm excited for the future of cross country at Superior Central."
After Friday's meet, the Cougars travel to Crystal Falls for Wednesday's Forest Park Invitational.
They visit Manistique Sept. 9 and host their own invitational Sept. 12.
"I think we have one of the most beautiful trails," Lovell said. "The kids enjoy it. We train on our course in most practices."
The remaining schedule:
Aug. 28 -- Dale Phillips Invitational at Marquette.
Sept. 2 -- Forest Park Invitational at Crystal Falls; Sept. 9 -- Manistique Invitational; Sept. 12 -- Superior Central Invitational; Sept. 23 -- Harger Invitational at Munising; Sept. 26 -- Bay College Invitational at Flat Rock.
Oct. 1 -- Great Eskymo Chase at Escanaba; Oct. 7 -- Skyline Central Conference at Banat; Oct. 12 -- Powers North Central Invitational; Oct. 14 -- Rapid River Invitational; Oct. 24 -- U.P. Division 3 Finals at Houghton.