Possibilities present and future were on display during the Iola High School and Iola Middle School cross country Blue and Gold Scrimmage Friday at Riverside Park.
After spending the summer working out and opening the school year practicing together, it seemed fitting for the clubs to go on one last run in their uniforms before the season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Anderson County Invitational in Garnett.
“They did well. We practiced yesterday and there was definitely some improvement from one day to the next,” Iola coach Brittany Daugharthy said.
Keegan Hill, a junior and 2024 state qualifier, was the first Mustang to cross the finish line Friday. Although more of a showcase than a test of their skills, Hill said he looks forward to seeing how he holds up against some of the area’s best in Anderson County.
“It felt good. It felt good when I was running,” Hill said. “I was shooting for a low time. It might not exactly have been what I wanted but it was close enough. I got a confidence boost.”
Senior Ari Ramirez was the first female Mustang to cross the finish line.
After missing out on state last year, Ramirez believes she was only scratching the surface of her talent. She held her own as a distance runner for the track and field team last spring and looks to punch her ticket to state this fall.
“Tonight felt really good having everybody come out and support the team,” Ramirez said. “This year is really exciting for us. We have a lot of middle school girls going out. I’m excited for what the team is going to be like after our seniors are gone. I felt good, definitely improved from last year.”
The Mustangs will have the next week off to prepare for their first run of the season. Regardless of the outcome in Anderson County, the Mustangs hope to use the meet as a jumping off point and build off it until hitting what they hope will be their apex in the postseason.
“We’re just going to keep putting in the work,” Daugharthy said. “All week, they’ve had to adjust and I think they’ve done well. They push each other and push themselves. I’ll get them ready.”
