Kennett boys cross country squad ready to begin racing

PROVIDED PHOTO
Pictured left to right are Kennett boys cross country runners Brett Bradley, Ryan Creed, Joe Wilson, and Francisco Garcia.

The Kennett boys cross country program enters its 2020 campaign with four runners after having a senior-heavy squad last season.

“We are a little thin after graduating five seniors,” Kennett cross country coach Fred Garmon said. “But we are returning one senior who has had a great summer - Brett Bradley. He’s been doing more than enough to get ready for the season and he really wants to have a big senior year.”

Bradley, who wants to race at the collegiate level after high school, is hoping to put together a big year so he can catch the attention of nearby colleges at the state meet.

“Practice has been going well,” Bradley said. "I’m hoping to finish in the Top 5 in the conference and Top 15 in the district so I can move onto state.”

Joining Bradley on the squad is senior Francisco Garcia, senior Joe Wilson, and sophomore Ryan Creed.

Garcia has some experience running cross country in the past.

“He came out for cross country two years ago but went out for other sports the last two years,” Garmon said. “But we are glad to have him back this season. He’s a really good soccer player. He doesn’t get tired easy. He’s just got to work on the little things to get better.”

Wilson and Creed are getting their first taste of cross country.

“Ryan's coming out to help his buddy Brett Bradley and push him to get better,” Garmon said. “Joe is a vital piece of our golf program. He wanted to come out here and work hard and stay in shape for golf by running cross country and help us if he can and I was all for that."

The runners are currently racing each day to prepare for the start of the season.

“We are running about three to five miles a day on easy days,” Bradley said. “Occasionally, on the weekend, we run about seven miles. We have also implemented some 400 and 800-meter workouts.”

Kennett opens its season Sept. 12 at 8:45 a.m. when it runs at the Arcadia Valley Invitational.

“We always open up there,” Garmon said. “The last three years it’s been a nasty day with rain. But I really like their course. It’s a pretty fast course.”

Kennett Boys Cross Country Schedule