by the I-R staff

Experience could be key to the 2020 Ellsworth cross country girls’ and boys’ teams.

“Members of both teams have state meet experience, either as competitors or alternates, and they know the kind of work — and teamwork — it takes to make it to that level,” Coach Eric Coonrod said. “This year will be especially challenging, but having years of running experience will pay off.”

The EHS boys were NCAA League runners-up in 2019. Both teams qualified for the state meet at Wamego. The boys’ team also won the 2A regional at Hutchinson for the second year in a row. The girls placed second. At state, the boys finished seventh and the girls captured 11th overall.

“The kids all get along very well and they push each other well ... My high school kids all ran for me in junior high and are able to be examples to the younger kids,” Coonrod said.

The boys lost Hayden Rogers to graduation, leaving some big shoes to fill. Rogers was the boys’ team No. 1 or No. 2 runner week after week.

That means the boys have four returning runners from 2019 — Braden Schulte, Byron Johnson, Jonathan Spachek and Grady Mueller. Colton Bettenbrock will begin his high school running career this year as a freshman.

Coonrod said having only five runners on the boys’ side is a challenge, especially if someone falls ill or is injured.

“The boys have been running very well so far. Senior Braden Schulte has been consistently finishing workouts out front, setting a great leading pace for the rest of the team.

“Byron, Jonathan and Colton have been running fairly close to Braden every day. Grady has been stepping up his pace as well to round out the boys’ team.”

Kirsten Meier is the only returning member of the girls’ team. The Lady ‘Cats lost Brenna Pruitt, who consistently ran No. 2 and No. 3 her senior year, to graduation and Joni Schroeder, the team’s No. 1 runner, moved.

“Since returning, junior Kirsten Meier is running solo on the girls’ side. She has been focused on improving times, whether it’s improving daily, weekly or improving over last year’s performances,” Coonrod said.

He said several junior high school runners also show promise.

As a seventh grader, Madison Newell placed third overall at the NCAA League middle school race last year at Minneapolis. Billy Cuncan and Aidan Johnson also return as eighth graders. New runners are Trenton Holmes, Mikhail Meier, Eva Neuman and Nelson Neuman.