The Wallace Cross Country program is entering its fourth year under the direction of Head Coach, Madisen Clough. The girls program has been very successful for the last four years but there is so much more that they want to accomplish this year. The boys have had successful runners in the past but they have never filled a team until this year and they have a point to prove.
"We are just looking to make a name for Wallace Cross Country and show up for ourselves every day. We have unfinished business for the girls and new business for the boys" said Coach Clough in her pre-season form.
The girls have seen success as they seek their fifth-straight RPAC Team title this season. If they do so, they will become the third team to clinch five-straight titles behind Dundy County Boys who won five straight (2013-2017), and the Bertrand-Loomis Girls who won six straight (2009-2014). In 2023, the girls' team won six of their ten meets and qualified their squad for the state meet for three years in a row.
The girls have made it their goal this year to clinch their fifth-straight RPAC team title and qualify as a team for the state meet with a District Championship. They have qualified a team for the last three years but have never done it with a team title. Not only do they want to earn the district championship, but they want to be very competitive while at state.
"Every day we go into practice with that mindset of really wanting that so what are we going to do and how are we going to put our best effort forward every day in practice and at our meets" said senior Ryleigh Hanson.
The Wildcats are led by senior Ashley Robertson who is coming off of a gold medal 1600m performance at the state track meet in May and placing 11th at state cross country last fall. While having the same team goals in mind, she wants to win RPAC as an individual, medal at districts, and medal in the top 10 at state. "Running is very mental, and although you are running individually, having that support from your team is very important... We want to win RPAC for the fifth year and qualify for state as a team. It's hard to stay positive because running is hard, that is why having a team and support is so important," said Robertson.
"We always have a good attitude and make practice fun. We are hardworking and try not to cut ourselves short of our potential and push ourselves and each other to get better" said junior Elliana Robertson.
The girls squad is composed of seniors Ryleigh Hanson, Ashley Robertson, and Kendal McClintock, junior Elliana Robertson, and freshmen Riggin Ketteler and Rally Ketteler.
The Wildcats put in the work over the summer and are excited to see how that plays out in reaching their goals this season.
But there is some new business that the Wallace Wildcats need to take care of as well, the boys squad has a team for the first time and they are looking to make a name for their program too.
"They are all freshmen and sophomores so they are really young but there is so much talent and potential coming up as well as improvement. There is a lot of growing and changing that goes on and I think they have big goals but they work so hard. What they don't have in talent they make up for in their work ethic... and they have the talent so we are going to show that we are here to work and be successful too," said Coach Clough.
With the squad being made up of freshmen and sophomores, they will be led by the top returning runner from last year, Max Hanson. Last season he placed 4th at the RPAC meet with a time of 18:59.62 and just missed qualifying for state as he placed 17th. "It's hard to be a good leader just because I don't have a lot of experience myself and I don't know everything it takes to be great but I like how I can be there for them and encourage them. I want them to know that I am not just here for the running purposes but that they can always talk to me and be there for them if they are struggling in sports or school" said Hanson.
"I have been really impressed with him, he's been so encouraging to the other boys and pushing them. He has goals and his eyes are set on them and he knows that if he can show the other boys on the same page that they can achieve them. He's been such a good example with working hard and never making excuses in practice when we ask them to do those hard things, it's so impressive with him stepping into that role at a young age" said Coach Clough.
The boys team is composed of sophomores Max Hanson and Micah Garrison and freshmen Wyatt Robinson and Tristan Manary.
It is going to be a year of growth and learning while creating a name for their program as well. The boys team has great goals set for themselves and will continue to learn and grow.
