Medomak Valley cross-country teams return a strong group of runners from last year’s girls’ team that won the KVAC championship. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have qualified for states the past three years. Veteran coach George Gould returns to the helm for his 25th year of coaching the Panther team. Gould won KVAC Coach of the Year awards the past three years.
Five of the top seven female runners return, including Gwen Moiles who placed fifth in East Class B and 14th in State B last season. Other returning varsity veterans include Megan Wyllie, Alyssa Griggs, Heidi Harris and Jordan Hopkins.
The Lady Panthers lost Kiana Ocean to graduation and Nicole Weaver transferred to soccer this season. Also running on the girls’ team are Jocelyn Thames, Maddie Bodine, Kelsey Grady, Bailey Black, Missy Philbrook, Abbie Vail, Brianna Gross, Shannon Staples and Jenny McKay.
The boys graduated two of their top runners in Patrick O’Donnell and Josh Parmenter. The Panthers return four varsity veterans, including Joe Murphy, Andrew Allen, Brendon O’Donnell and Nick Anderson. Also running this season are returnees Quinton Vannah, Mike Gilman, Peter Thomson and Ian Rixon. Also running age Lance Parker, Taylor Packard, Ivan Johnson and Alexander Casas.