Gar-Pal XC looks to be competitive

PALOUSE - The Garfield-Palouse Vikings have a strong group of cross country runners this season, and the team is primed to have a successful season.

The program is coached by Chris Cook and Corey Laughary, assisted by Cody Kritzeck.

Last season, the girls team took first place at the 1B/2B Regional meet, second place at the State Meet and was WIAA State Academic Champions. The boys team took second place at the 1B/2B Regional meet, fifth place at State and was also WIAA State Academic Champions.

For the girls team, the Vikings graduated seniors Ashleigh and Lola Edwards last season. This year, the team will be led by senior Courage Hightree. Prospective starters include Hightree, Arabella Sievers, Charlotte Marshall, HettyLee Laughary, Emma Kritzek and K'Lee Arndt.

Cook said the girls team, with a roster of six runners and the number of incoming freshmen, opens the team up to potential injuries and performance setbacks. It will be up to the veteran runners to see the team gain success through the season.

"This is a solid core that has been in the program since middle school," Cook said. "While they are small in numbers, the running aptitude and skill set is exceptional."

The boys team has 11 runners on the roster and will be led by seniors Kieran Snekvick and Brendan Snekvick. The team graduated just one senior last season, Josh Appel.

Starters this year for the boys will be the Snekvicks, Ayden Bassler, Liam Cook, Ethan Lawson, Grayson Wooldgridge and Sam Marshall. Other runners contributing to the team will be Sean Hallan and Lane Brown.

"It's our largest boys team to date," Cook said. "This group of runners has great senior leadership as well as a tremendous incoming freshman class. We are excited regarding the depth and breadth of this team."

As for any weaknesses on the boy steam, Cook said there are none.

"This group is primed and should be fun to watch," Cook said.

Cook said both boys and girls will look to be strong competitors in the postseason.

"We have a strong returning core with a nice mix of incoming freshmen," Cook said. "Our goals are to create as positive an experience as we can and be competitive at the District 6 and State meet level. We would also like to repeat as academic state champions."

The Vikings open their cross country season at the Seaport Invite on Sept. 11, in Clarkston. The team will then travel to Lewiston for the Les MacDowell Invite on Sept. 21.