Highland girls cross country poised for strong season, boys will be work in progress
Highland High School cross country coach Doug Bradley is relaxed these days as the Bulldogs cross country teams prepare for the 2020 fall season.
As the teams gear up for a campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bradley has slowed himself down a bit and gained a bit of perspective with the new environment.
“I’m a lot more laid back here at the moment,” Bradley said. “I’m trying to keep everything in perspective and I’m trying to look at the practices like one heck of an opportunity, so I’m trying to look at every day we get as a blessing and to give them that attitude in practice. I’ve been a lot less intense that way.”
An experienced roster will be a boon for the Highland girls, as the Lady Bulldogs return five seniors and four juniors this fall from their 2019 edition that competed in the IHSA Class 2A state meet last November.
Seniors Grace Meyer, Julia Loeh, Jessica Borror are back along with last year’s No. 1 runner, junior Faith Brindley. Sophomore Liv Heinzmann is also back to round out the Lady Bulldogs top five runners.
Other returners that will contribute include sophomore Maddie Dortch, junior Madalyn McCall, junior Paige Schaible, and senior Chloe Marti.
Additionally, senior Maggie Van Hatten has been a pleasant surprise so far in workouts.
“Maggie’s a senior and this is just her second year of cross country but she’s really had a nice summer and we’re excited about her prospects for having a pretty good season,” Bradley said.
Freshman Tarryn Keeney and junior Danielle Little are also expected to contribute on occasion. Keeney likely will spend most of her race time running with the Lady Bulldogs junior varsity along with Marti, Dortch, and Little.
“Every girl is pretty much in the mix for opportunities here of running some varsity before the season’s over, just because we have so many runners, we’re going to have to shuffle them in and out,” Bradley said.
Bradley said he feels the Lady Bulldogs are positioned to win the Mississippi Valley Conference championship and make steady progress during the season.
“They will have a target on their backs and they will be the hunted this year,” Bradley said.
Pair of seniors expected to lead boys team
On the Bulldogs boys side, standout seniors Easton Rosen and Josh Loeh are expected to lead the group.
“They are back and we have high expectations for them,” Bradley said. “Josh’s soccer season got canceled which puts him in a unique spot, so he can just focus on one sport.”
Sophomores Cole Baisden, Ethan Smith, and Mason Steinbeck are a talented trio that could blossom later in the season.
“They are three sophomore boys and I have been on them and riding them like a camel all summer long,” Bradley said. “They just have the ability and I’m trying to get them to believe (in themselves). We just can’t get them to realize how fast you have to be.”
Seniors Bryce Kirsch and Kole Fisk, along with juniors Cameron Pace, Kyle Molitor, and Justin Wakely, will also look to be in the mix.
Bradley said after Rosen and Loeh, spots three through seven are pretty much up for grabs..
“After Easton and Josh, we’re really a work in progress,” Bradley said. “If we can convince these guys and if they can turn the corner, we could be really competitive,” Bradley said.
Runners adjusting to coronavirus protocols
Practices have been manageable for the Bulldogs teams as Bradley said the runners have adapted fairly well to the COVID-19 precautions.
“As long as they’re running and I have them moving, they can be without their masks,” Bradley said. “As soon as they get done moving, then we’re supposed to mask up and the kids are really good about it.”
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs open the season at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, with the Bulldog Season Opener Meet at Alhambra Fireman and Legion Park against Father McGivney, Marquette, and Wesclin.