This is part of a series of team previews for the fall season. Here’s the complete list.
Cross Country | Football | Golf | Soccer | Softball | Swimming | Tennis | Volleyball
The Republic High School cross country team enters this fall seeking a return to the state meet after qualifying three runners last season. Under second-year head coach Lexie Gallion, the Tigers aim to build on that momentum.
At last year’s district race, sophomore Gracie Troester finished second to earn a state berth. Troester also shattered the school record with a blistering time of 18:51.69, more than six seconds faster than the previous mark. Kristin Probst and Brady Purcell also qualified for state by finishing 15th and 29th, respectively.
With state experience under their belts, Troester and Probst headline a deep girls squad seeking another big season. The duo also starred in track, with Troester claiming two state medals and Probst qualifying in multiple events. They’ll be joined by mainstay Misora Nambara, who barely missed qualifying for state last year. She finished 31st at districts, and only the top 30 runners advance. Mylee Ramsey, who ran on the junior varsity squad as a freshman last year, also returns.
Troester’s success has rubbed off on her teammates, according to Gallion.
“Gracie exudes confidence and mental toughness,” Gallion said. “Our younger team members know of Gracie’s successes and they admire her for what she has achieved as it gives them something to strive for.”
Troester said she’s feeling “quite good” as her junior season approaches. “(I’m) looking for growth for myself and trying to see what I need to do to reach my goals by the end of the season,” she said. “We have a lot of depth this year on the team, so I’m hoping we can get out there and kick some butt, as well.”
Even with all the success she’s enjoyed, Troester said the support of her teammates has been invaluable in helping her maintain her motivation in a difficult sport.
“Honestly, it’s hard sometimes. You have to have that mental aspect to get through (and) overcome the hurt and pain you go through when running,” she said. “I also have teammates and a former teammate, (Republic graduate) Ethan Haynes, that keep me accountable to run and give me tips about things when I ask.”
Probst has quietly become one of Republic’s most successful runners over the past two seasons. Gallion praises her steady leadership style.
“Kristin is a steadfast leader,” Gallion said. “She exudes calmness and demonstrates appropriate actions for her teammates. She welcomes challenges, knowing that it will help her to grow.”
On the boys side, Purcell is aiming for a higher finish after leading the Tigers last fall. He expects the team to be more competitive while lowering times across the board.
“I want to be in the mix for the top spots,” Purcell said. “Our team also has had a lot of improvement from last year. We are in a great spot to have a fast season. As a team, we have goals to all run much quicker than we did last year.”
Alongside Purcell, several other runners with experience return, and they are evenly matched as they battle for spots on the varsity squad. They include Joey Mullins, Hayden Mitchell, Kaesei Wilcutt, Dak Henning, and William Payne.
Gallion has seen more runners push their limits and set lofty goals. She believes that hunger will fuel major improvement on both the boys and girls sides.
“Many runners have decided to set higher goals for themselves and push out of their comfort zone,” Gallion said. “I believe that will greatly benefit our boys and girls teams as the season progresses.”
Behind its two returning state qualifiers, the girls team aims to send an even bigger contingent to Columbia this year. And with Purcell leading the pack, the boys squad has aspirations of joining the girls among the area’s top contenders.