By MINDY KEPFIELD

Staff writer

Marion High cross-country returns this year with a little more toughness, coach Grant Thierolf said.

The Warriors aim to take a boys’ team to state this year and net some individual qualifiers.

“I believe we are talented enough to get there. We just have to run like a championship team,” he said.

The Warriors have put in a hard summer of running and hard work to get ready.

The team competed Thursday at a meet in Abilene. Senior Heidi Grimmett and freshman Gavin Wasmuth both placed in the top 10.

Thierolf expects Grimmett to run well this year.

In addition to Grimmett, sophomore Tristen Dye, and Wasmuth, have emerged as leaders.

“They run their workouts well and push themselves to be the very best,” he said.

The team’s challenge is to keep improving throughout the season and peak at the end of the year.

“Berean and Trinity will be the teams we are chasing in the HOA this season,” Thierolf said.

Sophomore Hayden Mendoza will be a key runner.

Younger team members are a boon as well.

Thierolf thinks freshman Christopher Beery is ready to compete at state.

Thierolf also looks forward to watching first-time cross-country runner Logan Amos develop as an athlete.

The Warriors–next meet will be 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Hesston.