The Mcpherson High School Cross Country team season is going well with 2 returning state placers.

      Both the girls and boys cross country team is ranked in the top 8 of 4a. Coach Nikolous Rempe said, “We are off to a strong start to the season for both the girls and boys teams.” 

      Both teams’ times have had huge improvements, the times have surpassed times from past seasons. 

      Coach Rempe has been the head coach of the MHS cross country team for 5 years. In 2021 he led both the girls and boys teams to qualify for the state tournament.

      To prepare for this there usual practice week consists of two workouts with the rest being easy runs preparing for meets on Saturdays. 

      “Our team has been very dedicated and willing to put the work in during the summer to be better during the fall and our hard work has really paid off, “ Rempe said. With all this work both teams are currently projected to qualify at the state meet.

      The team had 2 state placers last year Lexi Patterson and Caleb Muehler. Muehler placed first with a time of 15:58 and Patterson placed 14th with a time of 20:25.

      “I have never had a team as close as we are” said Patterson. Her biggest motivation while running is “to race myself and PR” said Patterson.

      “I wouldn’t say that there is any specific person that motivates me while running, and it is mostly an intrinsic motivation to want to perform as well as I can” Muehler said. Muehlers end goal for cross country is “I think I want to just keep running and competing for as long as I can and try to be the best I can at it.” Muehler said. 

      The MHS Cross Country team has their regional tournament on Oct. 26. They are hoping to qualify their boys and girls team to move onto the state tournament. The state tournament is held in Wamego on Nov. 2.