Marion to host meet at park and lake
Sports reporter
Marion High School cross country teams will get the chance Thursday to show off their course to eight other schools in the state.
Warrior cross country coach Bethany Carlson said the team is anxious to run on its home course at Marion County Park and Lake.
"It's nice to know what is coming ahead," she said of the familiar course. "The kids are pretty ex cited, but I think the parents are too."
The race allows for community members to come out and enjoy themselves at the lake as well as watch the races.
Both the boys' and girls' Warrior squads have been improving each week, and Carlson looks for them to do well.
"It's a pretty fast course," she said. "I think the girls can win it, and the boys should be at least runners up."
Tacy Taylor, the lone senior on the team, will run her final race at the lake.
Last year the meet was called off after the middle school race because of inclement weather.
"I am so excited, it's my favorite meet," Taylor said.
The senior likes the unique course, especially the final leg.
"The bridge is the coolest part," she said. "Everybody is lined up, you can hear the wind pass through, and you can see the finish line."
Taylor also loves the crowd support at the home meet, and there will be some additional fans this year.
MHS volleyball coach Jim Versch is having the team practice in the morning, so it can go out and support the Warrior runners.
As for the teams, Camille Christensen has recovered form leg soreness, and the team should be at full strength.
On the boys' side, Ryan Jones is coming off a second-place finish at the Peabody meet a week ago.
The Warriors are heading into their home meet right as they are peaking.
The crowd support should only help.
"Having it be at home, and all the people out there just makes it that much better," Taylor said.
The first race begins at 4 p.m.
