“The 2022 season was statistically the best season we have had since I took over in 2020,” said head coach of Marshfield Cross Country Gage Miers. “We graduated a lone senior, Austin Palubicki who led the way in the change of our program as we have been building toward becoming a top-tier program.”
Miers and the Bluejays look to continue their string of solid seasons with the addition of assistant coach Joni Reed.
“Coach Reed is coming to the high school staff having previously coached the junior high team for the last three seasons,” explained Miers. “She was able to lead the junior high program to the Big 8 Conference Championships as well as winning several meets. We are excited to bring her talents to the high school staff.”
The ‘Jays return decorated senior Zach Mitchell for the 2023 season.
Mitchell comes off a highly successful junior year, with a personal record of 16:41 at last year’s Big 8 Conference Meet where he got fourth place. After a tough run at districts, Mitchell earned his third consecutive trip to state. This year, he’s eyeing down a fourth.
Mitchell made 1st Team All-Conference and 2nd Team All-SWCCCA Southwest Region.
“Mitchell is our team captain, and has developed great relationships with our underclassmen which has helped foster a culture of success,” said Myers. “Mitchell will be leaned on heavily to carry the boats for our team, and push the returning sophomores and the incoming freshman.”
Cole Brown and Doug Lee return this season as sophomores.
“Brown has proven to be a great asset to our team,” boasted Miers. “His hard work and dedication trickle down, and the work he put in this summer was unmatched. He had a great freshman year posting an 18:12. Lee has been our most improved runner this year. He really focused on gaining speed and strength, and was able to run several 20-minute 5k times.”
Hudson “Buzz” Zweemik, a sophomore, will join them as a new runner for the 2023 season.
The Bluejays welcome a strong class of freshmen coming to the high school program after success with Coach Reed in junior high.
Skylee Lamke, Alec Acklin, Johnathon McGlynn, Jacob Mitchell, Luke Oprhan, and David Wilson have already impressed the ‘Jays coaching staff with fast times and hard work at practices.
The future appears bright for Marshfield XC.
The Bluejays will open their season with the SWCCCA Meet at Bolivar on Sept. 2.
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