If watching high school athletes work hard, never complain and maximize their potential is something you appreciate, the Perry cross country teams should be worth your attention.
“What we have is a team with a lot of grit,” veteran Bluejay coach Jeff Fox said. “This is not a group that is going to just put in a half-effort — they are hard workers who are very competitive.”
Jayette head coach Shaylena Bell agreed, noting that, while her team does not have one demonstrative, vocal leader, the squad is “made up of girls who never want to do less than their best.”
Urbandale transplant Eli Noble, a junior, should immediately contend for the top spot on the boys varsity, Fox said.
“I think Eli will probably be our number one, but the two Zach’s (Stewart and Thompson) are not going to let it be easy,” he explained. “Those two (Stewart and Thompson) are fierce competitors — something they bring with them from wrestling. They don’t like not being first, and if you are going to beat them at anything you are going to have to earn it.”
The two seniors have helped put the team in a good position as the season begins today on the Iowa State University course in Ames.
“The leadership of our seniors is infectious and rubs off on people,” Fox said. “They really push everyone in practice and make everyone run harder, and I can already see that it has helped — we are definitely ahead of where we were at this same point last year.”
Fox said he expected Mario Cruz, and Eduardo Sanchez to also be in the scoring mix for the varsity, but that the final varsity positions could go to either Miguel Gonzalez, Aaron Lockwood or any number of other runners.
Bell knows senior Grace Stewart will lead the way for the Jayettes, but after that the order may change from meet to meet.
Part of the reason is the foot injury that continues to sideline sophomore Molly Lutmer, who was a consistent number two for the Perry girls last season. Her return could come at any time in the next several weeks, with Bell stating she was not about to rush Lutmer’s return and thus risk re-injury.
Darian McCord will figure into the scoring mix, as should Hannah Peterson and Angela Hernandez, with Sophie Prombo and Taylor Eppert other possibilities.
“Somebody could still step up and claim a spot,” Bell said. “Junior Jocelyn Fuentes asked to come out, with the goal of helping herself when track season comes around, and I hope she will able to help us in meets.”
Bell her focus to this point was simply to “get miles under our belts” in preparation for the 3.1 miles of each meet.
Today’s Gilbert Invite, in Ames, will be followed on the Perry schedule by the Winterset Invite September 5. Winterset will also host the Raccoon River Conference meet October 9.
The annual Leon Fox Invitational will be held September 28 at the Perry Golf and Country Club. The meet will begin with a co-ed junior high race, with the girls varsity and junior varsity running together, followed by the boys varsity/JV race.
