This year's cross country teams have hopes of carrying on the program's tradition of excellence by once again winning the Mid-South Conference and qualifying for Nationals.  Members of last years teams will set out to improve on their personal best.  With the addition of several fresh faces, the teams can accomplish new feats and set even higher goals. 

The Patriot men will have a new look this year.  The team lost several seniors to graduation, including one two-time All-American and indoor 5,000-meter champion, Jon Brenenstuhl.  The men's team has one-returning member, senior Adam Honnold, of last year's top seven.  Having been a member of a team that has qualified for Nationals the past three years, he looks to be a promising leader for the new team. One key newcomer to the Patriot squad is Michael Veatch of Middletown, Ohio.  His third- place finish at the Ohio High School Cross Country State Championships and second-place finish in the mile during his senior year of track make for an impressive record.  Incoming freshman, Brad Wells, of Bowling Green High School in Ohio is also a solid recruit, finishing 10th at the Ohio Cross Country State Championships. 

As for the ladies, six of last year's top seven will be returning.  The Lady Patriots lost their first runner, Alicia Heyne, a four-time National qualifier in cross country and track and school record holder in the 10,000-meter.  Last year's squad was the youngest Patriot team to ever qualify for Nationals.  With another year under the belt, the team has set their sights on competing at Nationals once again.  The returning varsity team members include four sophomores and two juniors:  Kelly Schnee, Christy Sumner, Michelle Warnky, Shelly Schnee, Barb Daviess, and Shelly Seifert.  Amanda Hayes will join the team this year after red-shirting last year and will make a drastic impact on the team.  In addition, Whitney Brainard, a graduate from Somerset, Kentucky, will join the Patriot Ladies.  She finished seventh in last year's Kentucky Cross Country State Championships and had several stellar performances in track this past year. 

Coach Stroud is says he is looking forward to the upcoming season: "Six members of our school's best women's team will be returning this year.  With the additions of several promising athletes on both the men's and women's teams, we'll be looking to create one of the best teams in our school's history."