The Canton-Galva cross-country team will compete in a new league this season. Previously a member of the Heart of America league, the Class 2A Eagles will now compete in the Wheat State League.
“This will be our first year in the Wheat State League,” 11th-year coach Lyle Silsby said. “We have been in the Heart of America League until now, so I am not sure how we will stack up yet against the WSL talent. I think our top runners will be right up there.”
Two returning juniors will anchor the Eagle boys this season: Cash Toews and Dawson Minson.
Toews finished 42nd at regionals a year ago. His season-best time was 19 minutes, 47 seconds.
“I see Cash having a good shot at making it to state this season as a junior,” Silsby said. “If he hadn’t been hurt at regionals last season, I think he would have been close then.”
Minson was 46th at regionals. His personal-best time for the year was 20:31.
The Eagles will compete without sophomore Logan Miller, who suffered a knee injury in baseball last spring.
Meanwhile, junior Maddie Snow will anchor the Eagle girls. She capped her first season of cross country with a 24th-place finish at regionals last year. Her personal-best time was 23:22.
“(Maddie) wasn’t injured at regionals but was coming down with the flu and still placed 24th,” Silsby said. “I think she would have been right in the running for state otherwise. Hopefully she can keep improving this season and make it this time.”
Additional team members include senior Kaylee Littrell, sophomore Whitney Nightingale and freshman Sophie Snow.
With just four girls and two boys on the roster, the Eagles will compete mainly for individual marks this season.
The Eagles will open the season at Tescott Thursday.
