Powerful MHS eyes another strong season

     The expectations are always high for the Monticello High School cross country teams each season, and this is another year in which the Panthers have chances to live up to them.

     Monticello has 24 boys and 19 girls out for their respective teams, and each has five returning letter-winners.

     For the Panther boys, seniors Cole Cruise and Carter Cruise are back, as are juniors Zach Chapman and Jasper Nietert, and sophomore Carter Kurt.

     “The boys are returning the core of their team that earned a sixth place finish at the state meet,” said Dan Sauser, who is in his 15^th year as Panther head coach. “There is a very good group of runners returning, in addition to the State runners, that will make an impact at the varsity level.

     “The freshman boys have been looking very good thus far. There very well may be a couple freshmen on a very talented returning team, which says a lot about how they have been running.”

     There are many goals for the Monticello boys, not least of which is extending the streak of 22 straight state meet appearances, which is the longest active streak in the state of Iowa.

     “We are still a relatively young team, but have more depth this year,” Sauser said. “We’ll need to minimize the nagging injuries, which can happen when training at a high level, if we want to have the season the boys have as their goal.”

     The Monticello girls are also young, as evidenced by the list of returning letter-winners, none of whom are seniors. Sophomore Karle Kramer was the Panthers’ lone state qualifier last year, and she is joined by juniors Gabrielle Guilford and Dru Kramer, and sophomores Lydia Recker and Triniti Etzel.

     “The top three finishers at last year’s state qualifying meet were freshmen,” Sauser said. “Those three will be a really nice core of runners to build around. We’ve got some others that have returned as well.

     “In addition, we have a nice group of freshmen runners that will have an impact at the varsity level. This team should have goals of a conference championship as well as qualifying for and placing well at State.”

     Sauser listed several area teams that should provide the toughest competition for the Panthers on the schedule. For the boys, those include Camanche, Tipton and Bellevue. For the girls, Cascade, Mid-Prairie and Iowa City Regina figure to be strong.

     “Both the boys and girls will need to improve each and every day they come to practice,” Sauser said. “I really like the attitudes and work ethic of both teams. As always, we need the athletes not just train physically, but also nutrionally and mentally.”

     Vallerie Lynn is the assistant coach, joined by volunteer assistants Bruce Novak and Mike Lambert.