The Cross Country team here at Riverbend is back at it this fall, with the ambition for both the boy’s and girl’s teams to qualify for the state championship meet. Last year, the boys made it to states, finishing 11^th.         The team is coached by Nikki Gause.

This season, both teams are really excited and determined to go beyond the already impressive success they experienced last year. The boys lost number one runner Bruce Garth to graduation, but are returning a lot of good runners such as, Kyle Doyle, Evan Leach, and Luke Sidle. There are also new runners who are excelling such as Freshmen Dillon Fields and Ronin Gick. The boys have already been running very well as seen at the Pole Green Classic, which was held on September 12^th. Kyle Doyle led the boys with an impressive 17:16 time. Kyle believes “the team can do well this year if we come together to succeed. Every runner counts.”

The Girls return this year with a lot of returning runners to lead the charge. Sophomores Kenady Horne and Elizabeth Vaughn have had tremendous starts to the season as the top two runners. Vaughn led the Bears at the Oatlands Invitational with a 21:04 time. The Girls team also has a lot of talent from returning runners Sam Hix and Kelsey Jackson.

Cross Country is a sport that requires runners to run a 3.1 mile course in various parts of Virginia. All courses have their own different difficulties and topography. Good luck to both teams as they represent the Bears this fall.