Grove’s cross-country teams will begin their seasons on Friday at Tulsa Edison, and head coach Warren Brumley thinks both teams could be headed for special seasons.
“Our times have improved since last year,” the third-year head coach said. “We’re already in better shape now than we were at the beginning of last season and some of their times are better than what they were at the end of last season. So we’re already ahead.”
The Ridgerunners finished fifth as a team at last year’s state championship but lost leading runner Ryan Wheatley, an All-State selection last year who finished seventh at state and is now running for Oklahoma State University. But Brumley thinks a deep group of runners, led by Derek Pigsley, Deacon Kraft and Javier Lara, could finish as high as second or third this year.
“We have a legitimate chance, even though we lost Ryan. I’m going to have three boys probably be in the top-10 or 20. When you do that, you’ve got a chance to be really good. But we’ve got a long way to go.
The number four and five positions on the boys side will likely be freshmen or sophomores. The girls, outside of senior and state championship favorite Michaela Werner, will also feature several ninth and tenth graders.
“They can do something special,” Brumley said. “My job is to convince them. The thing about sophomores is you’ve got to get them to believe they can run with the good ones. If I can get them hooked up and believing, [the girls] could be fourth or fifth, with an outside shot at the top three. If our fourth and fifth runners will come along, you go way up in the standings. You’re only as good as number five.”
The Lady Ridgerunners finished seventh in the team standings last year. Points are awarded based on individual placement. The team with the lowest point total wins.
“The girls are going to be better,” Brumley said. “We’ve got six girls competing for five jobs.”
Werner finished third individually after missing most of the season due to a stress fracture in her foot. After repeating as state champion in the 3200 meters and adding a win in the 1600, Werner is healthy and a clear favorite to capture the individual girls crown.
“The others see the work she’s putting in and seeing what it takes and where it will get you,” Brumley said.
Among those expected to contribute for the Lady Ridgerunners will be Paige Stanphill, Josie Eubanks and freshman Carly Johnson.
“The kids are working hard,” Brumley said. “Our numbers are up and the kids are showing up at 6:15 every morning, five days a week.”
The cross-country teams will compete in seven regular season meets. Regionals will be held on Oct. 26 at ORU and state will be on Nov. 2 at Edmond Santa Fe High School.
