Lady Demons eye third straight WAC championship
By John Zetmeir
Winning a third-straight Western Athletic Conference championship is this year’s goal for the Dodge City High School girls cross country team heading into the season.
In order to three-peat as WAC champions, Dodge Citywill have to figure out who six of their seven runners will be this season. Head coach Brian Lenz said that senior Coral Neave has earned her spot as the team’s leader but that he is still sorting out the rest of the bunch.
‘Our depth is there again,’ Lenz said. ‘There is no guarantee for the three returners on varsity, they have to earn their spot too. If I was to name our top-seven right now I wouldn’t have a clue who it would be.’
Neave was the top finisher for the Red Demons at last year’s 6A state cross country meet where Dodge City placed seventh as a team amongst the 12 team field. The Red Demons did lose Jasmine Duarte and Amelia Richter who finished 28th and 31st last year.
Sophomore Ayanna Hensley and senior Marissa Ramirez are the other two returners who competed at state last season. As far as the internal competition has gone amongst the Dodge City runners to fill the remaining spots, Lenz couldn’t be happier.
‘I love the attitude,’ Lenz said. ‘They are focused on what we’re doing and they are here to work. They are already coming together as a team.’
While Lenz is still unsure who his varsity lineup will be, the Red Demons are still entering the season with the goal to bring home the WAC title for a third consecutive season.
‘That’s the plan but we’re going to learn a lot about ourselves in the next few weeks when we start getting into some competition,’ Lenz said. ‘We have some new girls out that have really been looking good but you never really know until race day.’
The Red Demons will travel to Wichita on Sept. 3 for their first race of the season.
SCHEDULE
■ Sept. 3 at Wichita-Bishop Carroll. 9 a.m.
■ Sept. 10 at Perryton. 10 a.m.
■ Sept. 15 at Forth Hays State University. 4:30 p.m.
■ Sept. 24 at Stillwater. 8 a.m.
■ Oct. 1 at Newton. 9:30 a.m.
■ Oct. 8 at Salina Central. 10 a.m.
■ Oct. 13 at HOME. 3 p.m.
