Cross Country opens at Casper

This season, 17 high school and middle school students will run their hearts out as they represent Thermopolis Cross Country.

The Hot Springs County High School team will include seniors Liz Rhodes, Stacy Lewis and Jules Ward, and freshmen Erica Meier, Tahja Hunt, Kenna Bomengen, Olivia Weyer and Aime Robinson for the girls team and Sophomore Sean Miller for the boys. Thermopolis Middle School has eighth-graders Emme Norsworthy, Jasmine Collins, Dayna Sandburg and Ryan Miller, seventh-graders Hallie Martinez, Josiah Butler and Karsten Hart, and sixth-grader Sadie Burr.

Coach Brenna Abel stated, “We are excited about our upcoming season. We have many returners this year on the girls side. Jules Ward, a senior, is back as a two-time 2A State Champion. Stacy Lewis and Liz Rhodes are also returning members of the second place 2A team last year. We have five new freshman girls this year to add to the team. We are looking strong on the girls side.”

However, she pointed out Sean Miller is the only boy, as he is a returning sophomore, and four more are needed to field a team on the boys side.

The first meet is in Cody for the MS and HS crews, Abel stated, and they are excited for the season to start.

The teams’ schedule includes:

Aug. 26 — @ Casper for Kelly Walsh Invite, Beartrap (MS), 2 p.m.

Sept. 2 — @ Billings, Riverfront Park, 12 p.m.

Sept. 10 — @ Sheridan for Michelle Ludwig Invite, VA Hospital (MS), 9 a.m.

Sept. 15 — @ Riverton Golf Course for Berry Bryant Invite (MS), 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 — @ Cody, Don Little Park (MS), TBA

Sept. 22 — @ Green Hills Golf Course for Warrior Invite (MS), 4 p.m.

Oct. 1 — Thermopolis Golf Course for Bobcat Invite (MS), 9 a.m.

Oct. 7 — @ Powell, Golf Course (MS Conference), 4 p.m.

Oct. 14 — @ Douglas for Absaraka Conference, TBA

Oct. 22 — @ Sheridan for State Championships, TBA