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Resurgent: Sheldon cross country program set for return
After a year hiatus Sheldon High School’s cross country program is slated to return this fall.
“We’re excited to have new runners, and reconnect with other cross country coaches and runners from the past,” Sheldon coach Mike Galimberto said. “I have a whole new group of runners, and feel with this group there could be excellent 5K (3.1 mile) times — especially with the girls’ team."
The girls’ squad is comprised of five distance runners, with a lone student-athlete on the boys’ side.
“(They are all) driven to do (their) best, and I expect nothing less,” Galimberto noted. “That’s what I ask of all of my athletes, regardless of the sport. Do the very best you can each time you compete, and if you feel you did everything you could then you are successful.”
Headlining the resurgent program is three-sport athlete Madison Garren. As a freshman this past spring, Garren performed well in running events at the Class 1 track-and-field districts, advancing on to the sectionals.
“I have high hopes for Madison,” Galimberto said. “Transferring those running skills effectively to the different terrains, and running surfaces that are associated with cross country will make her an even better runner in track, I believe.”
In addition to Garren, several other from the team competed in track-and-field last spring. Galimberto feels those skills will be advantageous, but said his squad will have to make the adjustment from running on an oval track, to conquering hilly terrain.
Despite the year hiatus, Galimberto is fully confident his squad will hit the ground running.
“In May, I gave my runners a summer running program to follow, as a guideline, not mandatory,” he said. “Consistently trying to better your time is key in this sport. We are trying to mirror the schedule we had during the 2017 running season.”
Sheldon schedule
• 9-14: Nevada — Cottey College Invitational
• 9-24: Stockton
• 9-28: Hermitage
• 10-1: Lamar
• 10-12: Butler
• 10-17: Clever
• 10-22: El Dorado Springs
• 11-2: District Meet
• 11-9: Class 1 State Championship meet, at Gans Creek cross country course — Columbia, Missouri.
“(Our biggest) challenge will be at Pomme De Terre Dam (Outlet Park), just outside Hermitage,” Galimberto said of the Sept. 28 Hermitage Invitational. “It's a large invite, and had nearly 1,000 runners when we were there in 2017.”
Summed up Galimberto: “I can only hope that this new group of runners will enjoy it like my past teams have. Making new friends, improving their health, and hopefully learning to love this sport so that it can benefit them after graduation, and use it for the positive experience it is.”
Sheldon roster
Girls: Madison Garren (So.), Leah Byram (So.), Gabrielle LeVaugh (So.), Kimberleigh Colbert (Fr.), Alexis Britz (Fr.).
Boys: Jeremy Knowlton (So.).
Coaches: Mike Galimberto, head coach; Nick Coquillette, assistant coach.