After second and fifth-place finishes Thursday at the season-opening meet, the Marion High School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams will compete Thursday at Hesston.

The Warriors are still battling injuries and illness in preparation for the meet, but a good first meet has the team excited heading into week two.

“The boys ran spectacular as a team,” Carlson said of the first meet at Abilene.

There isn’t any reason that shouldn’t carry over Thursday.

Junior Ryan Jones and Louis Holt consistently have been churning out top-10 finishes since last year, and this past week was no different.

Sophomore Michael Kirkpatrick is one to watch this week after setting a personal record a week ago.

Andy Shipman finished seventh at Abilene, and the newcomer could be the one to put the boys’ team over the top.

Five girls earned medals for Marion this past week, and should have a more competitive race this week if all seven runners are healthy.

The cross country course is at the Hesston Country Club, and a familiar golf course for the Warriors.

“We’ve been practicing on hills, so we should be ready,” Carlson said.