During Thursday’s cross-country meeting, new Coach Gregory Hayes introduced ideas for next season that lifted the spirits of some runners.

“I’ve talked to Coach Hayes and I think he sounds like he’s really knowledgeable, and not only that, but I also think he is dedicated to improving everyone individually as well as the team as a whole,” junior Jacob Smithe said.

Under Hayes, summer training and the structuring of the practices will remain unchanged, but  afternoon practices will move to the morning from 6:45 to 7:45.

“Not much has changed so far regarding summer training, but morning practices can go both ways since we’ll have free time after school to get things done, but for new people it might be hard for them to commit,” junior Lauren Dietl said.

Hayes has never before been an official head coach, but he is a runner and has coached his seventh-grade boys who were on the varsity cross-country team last season.

“I want the runners to come out and have fun and do their best,” Hayes said.

Coach Jason Whitworth, who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, will not return to coach the team next season, but he will helpHayes with the running routines.

“I will miss past coaches, they really helped to shape me into the person I am and always have inspired me,” sophomore Ilana Krause said.

By Marco Pascual