Independent finished third last season at the state cross country meet.From left to right, back: Jonah Aspegren, Chris Speed, Josh Werner, Zach Wolken, Christian Packebush, Dylan Hernandez, front: Head Coach Steve Riley, Jacob Campbell, Jordan Speed, Jason Ream, assistant coach Trevor Williamson (photo by DeeDee Fox) |
WICHITA, Kan.—
The Independent Panthers cross country team has opened up the season with a No. 1 ranking in class 3A for the boys. The team placed third last year at the State meet, and returns six of the top seven runners. Jordan Speed, now a senior, placed tenth overall. The Panthers are coached by Steve Riley. He is entering his fourth season as Independent’s head coach.
The top returners on the boys’ side are Speed, juniors Jacob Campbell, Jason Ream, Zach Wolken, Josh Werner and Dylan Hernandez and sophomore Jonah Aspegren.
The main team goals for the boys this year include improving on last year’s team and individual finishes.
“We’d like to compete well at the Rim Rock meet,” said Riley.
Rim Rock is a national cross country meet hosted by the University of Kansas. Around thirty teams from Kansas and surrounding states will compete in the Panthers’ division.
“We’d also like to challenge for the CPL [Central Plains League] title again this year after winning it the past two years,” Riley said.
Ream said, “Our goal is to stay healthy and have good performances throughout the whole season.”
Riley appreciates the No. 1 ranking, but knows there is still work to do.
“It’s nice to be thought of in high regard, but we have to prove it on the course.”
The team echoes this statement.
“A ranking doesn’t mean anything until you back it up,” Werner said.
On the girls’ side, only three have come out for the team. There were only two members last season.
“Our girls’ team is short on numbers. We have [junior] Nicole Fox returning after a strong track campaign, [sophomore] Emily Hernandez and a strong freshman runner, Rachel Swank,” said Riley.
