Freeman, Vc Plan To Run On Same Path

A pair of local small schools from different leagues will cross paths when running cross country.

Both Freeman, from the Northeast A League, and Valley Christian School, from the Bi-County B League, are lumped together for the benefit of the sport.

“All the B schools helped us with our schedule,” said Freeman coach Lisa Phelan. “They did a nice job of rounding it out so we see everybody.”

The Scotties, whose boys qualified for state last season, are currently 2-0 in competition.

The Panthers, whose girls finished fourth behind Freeman in district, are seeking improvement.

Three boys teams and two girls teams, up one from last year, plus individuals reach state this year.

“We’re going to take more this year for which I’m happy,” said Valley Christian coach Linda Lanker.

Freeman runners set high goals

Freeman cross country runners have set some lofty goals.

“The team goal is to repeat as Northeast A champions, both boys and girls,” said Phelan. “Second is to qualify both for state.”

The boys team went last year, placing ninth. The girls want to go along with them.

If boys runners improve as much from the beginning of the season to the end as did last year’s No. 2 graduate, Joe Russell, they stand a good chance of repeating.

Russell cut a minute and one-half from his Freeman Invitational time and wound up 15th in state.

Leading the Scotties is Joe’s younger brother, John Russell, who was 10th at state last year.

“He’s been running all summer and has been a real team leader,” said Phelan. “I’m impressed how he has gotten the team together.”

Last week, state veterans Tom Ward, a junior, and Ian Higgins, a senior, and freshman Reid Carrell all ran faster than Joe Russell’s early-season Invitational time.

Noel Charbonneau, replaces his twin brother Logan, who did not come out. Junior Joe Halverson and sophomore Andy Miller round out the team.

State veteran sophomore Laura Halverson, Joe’s sister, leads the girls team.

“She’s really strong,” said Phelan. “She ran against Sarah Harris who finished sixth in state last year and beat her by almost a minute.”

Running behind her are Sadie Kalstad, with Kim Davey and Jami Harless vying for number three.

Others on the team are senior Lindsay Asher, Krista Freeman, sophomore Sarah Steffes and freshman Stephanie Bobiak.

Panthers seeks improvement

Last year’s Valley Christian boys team finished well out of the district running. The girls were right with Freeman.

Will both be improved over last season?

“I think our girls team has a really good chance to get out of district,” said Lanker. “It’s hard to tell about the boys right now because three out of our six guys are so new. We do fare better than last year.”

Junior Shane King and sophomore Steve Goering had good seasons in track. They’re joined by junior veteran Eric Dahl, sophomores David Jump, Michael Bradley and freshman sprinter Everett White.

Three girls return from last year, junior half-mile standout Katie Rosholt and sophomore sprinters Kristin Lanker and Krisi Wright.

Newcomers are freshmen Amy Evans and Tina Tarri.

“I’ve noticed a lot more enthusiasm,” said Lanker of her team. “Last year I was begging kids to come out and this year they were calling me.”