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FALL PREVIEW: Marshall to be led by key group of returners this year

By Sam Thiel 2 min read
Photos courtesy of Photoworks Above: The 2021 Marshall boys cross country team includes front row (L to R): Toby Wambeke, Foster Moore, Landon Marthaler, Samuel Thor, Logan Miller, Kohen Holcomb, Cody Rauch, Dawson DeCamp, Sam Deutz and Corbin Leibfried. Middle row (L to R): Keagen Anderson, Jordan Duscher, Liam Kruse, Josh Leibfried, Hudson Dieken, Austin Dunn, Carter Versaevel, Jed Tabaka, Ethan Bly, Jack Gunn and Garett Regnier. Back row (L to R): Coach Brian Leibfried, Carter Gehrke, Wyatt Hansonl, Isaac Simon, Chase Werner, Van Marcus, Keaton Runia, Zach Leibfried, Tyson Brandt, Aidan Rosenboom, coach David Wingert and coach Alex Solheim. Not pictured: Daniel Olin and Cohen Bell. Below: The 2021 Marshall girls cross country team includes front row (L to R): Katelyn Leibfried, Addison Hissam, Bellamy Sukalski, Madysson Hasert and Brooklyn Mauch. Middle row (L to R): Miracle Tucker, Evey Schneekloth, Anna DeGroot, Cameen McFarquhar and Taleigha Bigler. Back row (L to R): Coach Marie Sample, Lilly VanMeveren, Jersey Leysen, Gracelyn Foster and coach Willie Jans.

MARSHALL -- The Marshall boys and girls cross country teams posted another strong season last year, with the girls team placing third in the section meet while the boys team placed eighth in their pandemic-shortened schedule.

Boys

On the boys side, Marshall will have a strong mix of veteran experience and youth, led by Zach Leibfried, Josh Leibfried, Sam Deutz, Ethan Bly, Hudson Dieken and Daniel Olin. Marshall boys coach Brian Leibfried said they have a lot of depth this season and a competitive group that will fight for spots each week.

"Our depth will be key for us; we've got several guys fighting for spots, which is important, especially when we start limiting the number of runners we can have in a race to seven," coach Leibfried said. "We need to continue to fight for places and trust the system as well as take time to recover and stay healthy as a group. Good things will happen if we work hard and have fun."

Girls

On the girls side, Marshall will have many key athletes returning, led by Bellamy Sukalski, Allyson Sample, Taleigha Bigler and Miracle Tucker. Katelyn Leibfried, Brooklyn Mauch and Avery Schneekloth will also look to make an impact.

Marshall girls coach Marie Sample said their hard work ethic will be an area of strength for them this season and they want to have a tight bond as a team.

"Our work ethic will be a strength for us," coach Sample said. "They work really hard and are very good teammates; they're more into the team aspect and how we can get better as a team rather than individually and they're willing to do it for each other. They're a fun group to work with and have a lot of potential to grow."

Marshall opened the season last weekend in Fairmont, taking first place on both sides.

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