Sheldon cross country competes at Drexel HS Invitational
The Sheldon Panthers high school cross country team participated in the Drexel High School Cross Country Invitational, Sept. 13. The Panthers are comprised of senior Nicholas Pitcock and freshman Austin Bupp.
In the boys varsity 5-kilometer, Pitcock placed 13th, with a time of 21.13, bettering his time at the Nevada Cross Country Invitational, held Sept. 6 at Marmaduke Park, where he finished 12th with a time of 23.17.
Pitcock, in his second season running cross country, has improved greatly since practices began Aug. 8, according to Sheldon cross country coach Mike Galimberto.
"Nicholas is a disciplined and dedicated runner," Galimberto said, "and support-system for his teammate. His goal is to make it to state this year, which he missed out on last year at the district meet, as he was two places shy of getting to run (at the state meet) in Jefferson City."
Bupp, in his first season competing in running sports, ran the boys 5K junior varsity at the Drexel Invitational, finishing in fourth place with a time of 37.55. It was Bupp's top time, as he clocked a 44.39 at the NHS Invitational.
"He is learning a new sport and is eager to succeed at it," Galimberto noted.
Galimberto, who is in his first year as Sheldon's cross country coach, said he has gleaned plenty of knowledge from his two student-athletes.
"I have learned so much from them," he said. "And along with the administration and other coaching staffs here, I have quickly become the 'learner' in this amazing sport.
"I'm proud to be a small part of it. The athletes I coach are both willing and accepting of direction and guidance, not just from me, but from other school coaching staffs that have experience in the sport."
Next up
Sheldon will run in the Stockton Invitational Sept. 20, followed by the Hermitage Invitational Sept. 24.