Photo courtesy of Photoworks The 2018 Marshall boys cross country team includes front row (L to R): Van Marcus, Zach DeVaan, Chiemeka Nwakama, Lincoln Vogel, Brysen Babcock, Carter Versaevel, Zach Leibfried. Middle Row (L to R): Griffin Peterson, Garett Regnier, Jayden Manthei, Ashton Schnaser, Aidan Rosenboom, Logan Wherry, Brett Regnier, Daniel Olin, Austin Dunn, Hudson Dieken. Back Row (L to R): Assistant coach Alex Solheim, Zach Matzner, Simon Zahrbock, Damian Caron, Quentin Blomme, Trey Weber, Jenson Meyer, Karter Wasberg, Jackson Chamberlain, Jordan Graupmann, Coach Brian Leibfried. Not pictured: Nicholas Dunn, Carter Goblirsch, Eh Doh Wah, Tanner Fales, Owen Salisbury, Isaac Simon.

MARSHALL – There’s a lot to be excited for heading into the 2018 Marshall cross country season. With a strong mix of experienced returners, combined with a promising group of talented newcomers ready to contribute, the Tigers cross country clubs are primed for more success to come in 2018.

Boys

For the first time in a handful of years, the boys squad will be led by a total of seven seniors–Quentin Blomme, Damian Caron, Nicholas Dunn, Jordan Graupmann, Karter Wasberg, Trey Weber and Simon Zahrbock–a substantial increase from the three total who guided last year’s club. With the added layer of veteran experience, head coach Brian Leibfried acknowledged the benefits of added leadership and how it translates to a strong core up front in 2018.

“Our seven seniors are the largest group we have seen in quite a few years,” said coach Leibfried. “We should be very solid upfront and (we) have quite a few guys who are looking to compete.”

Girls

The Marshall girls cross country program has been a model of success over the last half decade, earning five consecutive trips to the state tournament and are poised to make it six. A large component of their success year in and year out has been the work that the team puts in during the summer months to prepare for the season that lies ahead, and this offseason was no different.

“We always know that if we can get some summer miles in and get some mileage on our legs we’re ahead of the kids that don’t and that’s separates us from the other teams that aren’t putting in those kind of miles,” said girls coach Marie Sample. “A couple of the kids did some camps this summer so they really kind of took ownership of it and decided they wanted to do a little extra, but really we had a nice little group that met again this summer in the mornings and ran together.”