Photos courtesy of Photoworks Left: The 2019 Marshall boys cross country team includes front row (L to R): Samuel Thor, Liam Kruse, Griffin Peterson, Hudson Dieken, Josh Leibfried, Brayden Louwagie, Brayden Ust and Garett Regnier. Second row (L to R): Leng Vue, Owen Salisbury, Chiemeka Nwakama, Carter Goblirsch, Aidan Rosenboom, Jackson Chamberlain, Carter Versaevel, Landon Wherry and Chase Werner. Third row (L to R): Hunter Krueger, Jayden Manthei, Austin Dunn, Daniel Olin, Adan Felton, Tyson Brandt, Ashton Schnaser and Brett Regnier. Back row (L to R): Assistant coach Trent Lusignan, Brysen Babcock, Wyatt Hansonl, Zach Leibfried, Jenson Meyer, Van Marcus, Tanner Fales, Zach Matzner and head coach Brian Leibfried. Not pictured: Juehl Morman, Mason Graven, Isaac Simon. Right: The 2019 Marshall girls cross country team includes front row (L to R): Miracle Tucker, Samantha Chavez, Skyla Lamfers, Beret Pedersen, Olivia Lupkes, Bellamy Sukalski and Lucy DeVaan. Middle Row (L to R): Sydney Brandt, Allyson Sample, Jullianna Purrington, Cameen McFarquar, Adrienne Simpson, Eden Carrasco-Storm, Sophia Stemwedel and Marin Pedersen. Back Row (L to R): Coach Marie Sample, Saphi McFarquar, Gracelyn Foster, Natalee Sample, Jersey Leysen, Lillyanna Newman, Brianna Simpson, Lilly VanMeveren.

MARSHALL – The Marshall boys and girls cross country teams posted another strong season last year, with the girls team reaching their sixth straight trip to state as a group and placing 10th while Zach Matzner was the lone individual qualifying for state on the boys side.

Boys

After relying on a large group of seniors last year, the Tigers will have a strong mix of veteran leaders as well as newcomers this season.

Marshall coach Brian Leibfried said he will look to his veteran runners to guide the rest of the team and become leaders for the underclassmen.

“We have a great team to work with. They are a positive bunch of guys and have been working on becoming a closer knit group,” Leibfried said. “We have some great role-models to follow which are important for the number of newcomers we have on the team.”

Girls

Last season, the Marshall girls cross country team was forced to rely on some of their underclassmen to step to the challenge and compete on the big stage for them. The young runners exceeded expectations, helping guide the Tigers along with the veteran leaders that are also returning.

Marshall girls coach Marie Sample was pleased with how well her team worked together and they’re excited to try and replicate that success this year.

“Last year we had to go deep on some youth; we had three seventh-graders run on the section team and I think we surprised a few people,” coach Sample said. “We had great leadership on the veteran end of it and our older kids really did a good job of teaching our younger kids how to stay relaxed and how to perform in stressful situations. We’re young, but we’ve got some experience because we had to go deep last year and they’re really excited and have some big goals.”