Coming off a 2009 season in which the boys? finished third at regionals and 11th in the Class 2A state race in Wa?mego, and had one girl qualify for state, the Goessel cross-country team will be young this season.
Gone is the girls? state qualifier Kirsten Hoffman and boys? state team members Jared Reimer, who is running at Sterling College, and Derek Krueger.
Returning from the 2009 season are letter-winners Laird Goertzen, Grant Flaming and Stephen Goertzen.
Foreign exchange student Brittny Czarknowski will be eligible to run with the varsity this season after having to sit out 2009 because of a transfer rule.
Coach Derrick Birdsell thinks Czarknowski has a shot at state, as does the boys? team.
?We?ve improved a lot from beginning to end,? Birdsell said. ?We?ve got a shot to send our guys through to state from the regional competition.?
The Bluebirds begin their competitive season Sept. 2 with a race at Clearwater.
