(Avoca) The AHSTW girls cross country team brings back most of their squad from last year and adds a couple of very talented freshmen into the mix.
Rylie Knop headlines the group after advancing to the state meet in 2021. “She placed in the top ten at the Western Iowa Conference meet and made it to state. She’s ahead of schedule this year. She really had a good track season, good summer, and she started off the first week of practice running really well.”
Coach Jackson Renberg reports there’s a freshman or two that could be making a push towards the front. “Ava Paulsen has had a really good junior high career. She looks like she’s in for a really good freshman year pushing Rylie. Her twin sister Kenna Paulsen is in the mix as well. She also had a really good junior high career and we are looking forward to seeing those three push each other.”
Several others return with varsity experience. “Some seniors with Cali Petersen and Ellie Peterson. They had decent summers, they were are two’s and three’s most of last year. They are in the mix for that 4-5, Ella Langer is also in the mix and is probably right now our four. She’s had a really good summer, she hasn’t missed very much form. She has really worked on her form and has looked very good in practice. Miranda Akers is back from last year and Makena Petersen is a newcomer. We’re small, but I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from the team so far. If they can keep it up it’s going to be a really good season.”
The team got together frequently throughout the summer. “We’ve had really good numbers.” Renberg says, “They’ve been pretty consistent. I think our one through six or seven have been there.” Renberg says a few of the athletes only missed one workout all summer.
AHSTW’s first meet will be August 23rd at Shenandoah.
AHSTW coach Jackson Renberg:
