Barbara Lawlor

Nederland

After school, the Nederland High School Cross-Country Team runners leave the building and start up the steep trail to West Magnolia. Depending on weather and how far they want to go, many options are available from that point. They run together, pacing each other, learning their strengths and weaknesses as well as how to encourage each other to keep on going.

Although it is a small team with only a dozen runners, almost an equal number of males and females, Coach Dan Shea says they are "Proud and Mighty."

The Panther Harriers are also young, with only two seniors to guide the rest of the team, but, says Coach Shea, several of them have a shot at making it to state this year.

Sarah Davidson has been with the team since she was in middle school and runs with calm determination, focusing on her personal goals, and has improved with every race, every year.

"If Sarah can remain healthy, she can definitely make a return trip to the State Final Championship in Colorado Springs, as she is our top female runner, " says Coach Shea. "She is only a junior and a veteran runner who knows what it takes to get there."

 Only steps behind Sarah is Helen Cross, a freshman with a lot of talent who has been a runner all the way through middle school.

On the boys' side, Adam Figgins is once again our lead runner.  Adam is only a sophomore and is extremely capable of going to state, as he is quite fast. Very close behind Adam is fellow sophomore Scout Edmonson, who has also clocked some fast finishing times and has what it takes to get to state. 

Coach Simone Smead (Ned high school Health/P.E. teacher) has joined the coaching team this year and Coach Shea and the team are lucky to have her, as she brings with her years of coaching and mentoring experience.

Coach Shea says, "We are truly looking forward to an exciting season, filled with fast times, improvement and fun."

The Panthers competed in the St. Vrain Invitational last Saturday, September 10, 2016, in Lyons. Even though some of the runners were out with injuries, they hung in there with the larger teams.

Nederland boys’ results: 209 runners, 22nd team:

59. Adam Figgins: 19:13
60. Scout Edmondson: 19:28
61. Kiernan McClish: 22:26
62. Wesley Nation: 23:40
63. Bill McNamara: 23:50

Girls’ results: 116 runners, 25 teams

81. Anna Neber: 24:52
82. Meg Feeley: 25:35
83. Alex Sorokach: 26:01

The next meet is the Wolverine Invitational at Frontier Academy High School Moffat Park in Greeley on Friday, September 16th.