The starting gun has fired, and the “Running Rams” have begun their cross country season.

          The Rams kicked off the year with a win on the challenging course at Marion High School.

          “It went pretty bad personally because I had a terrible race but good as a team because we won,” said Carson Workman, ‘26.

          The team then traveled to Granite City for the 52nd Annual Granite City Robinson/ Lang Cross Country Invitational. 

          The girls team finished 16th out of 29 teams and the boys team fifth out of 30 teams.

          Following the Granite City Invite, the “Running Rams” dominated the home meet that took place September 16.

          Both the girls and boys team took first place and had several individuals placing top 10 despite the 90 degree weather and rough course.

          “I like our course but it’s really uneven,” said Jayden Jones, ‘27.

          The team’s next meet will take place in Springfield, IL on September 27.  

          The boys and girls have been training very hard to prepare for this season and are very dedicated.

          “We’ve done lots of running, workouts and long runs, and early morning practices,” said Lily Rains, ‘28.

          The coaches have been working hard as well to stay ready and establish goals.

          “We want to defend our conference championship and we want to place top 10 at the state meet,” said Mr. Trace Turner, head men’s cross country coach.

          Both teams plan to keep working hard and improving their times this season.

          The men’s and women’s teams are both ranked first in the South Seven Conference out of five teams.

          The Rams hope to keep their streak alive and take the Conference title for the second year in a row, and are confident going into the rest of the season.

          “I have a lot of confidence in my team!” said Shelby Conner, ‘29.