By John Molene

Improvement is the key word for the Park High boys’ and girls’ cross country teams this season.

“Seeing the kids improve from last season to this season and improve from the beginning to the end of this season would be considered successful,” said cohead coach Brad Narveson. “Obviously we want to stay healthy and be competitive week in and week out, but improvement is the goal. And of course, we want the runners to enjoy their time on our team.”

Narveson returns for his 14th year of coaching cross country at Park. Jesse Nelson will be the co-head coach this season. Mike Moran has stepped down as head coach and will be an assistant coach for Park this fall.

Parks’ boys will aim for a higher conference finish this season. Missing from last year’s team are leading runner Parker Hahn, along with Dale Kirsch and Jacob Paulsen. But returning are all-conference runner Gavin Stauffer, Nick McDonald (injured all last year), Bronson Stachowiak and senior captains Justin Kasa and Henry Schluetter.

Lydia Best returns to lead the Park girls.

Top newcomers won’t be determined until after more practices and the team’s first meet on Sept. 1.

“It looks like we’ll be a really balanced squad,” Narveson said of the boys’ team. “Outside of our top two runners it appears runners three through 10 will be very close to each other. Outside of running it’s a very closeknit group. They look out for each other, cheer each other on, and include everyone in their non running activities. Our seniors deserve a ton of credit for the welcoming and inclusive culture they’ve helped create.”

Team weaknesses are that numbers are down from last season. The coaches would welcome any seventh through 12th graders looking for a fall sport.

Park’s boys placed eighth at the conference meet last season, while the girls did not have a complete team last year.

“I’m looking forward to working with coaches Nelson and Moran this year,” Narveson added. “Coach Nelson brings a lot of knowledge and success from his days in Red Wing and combining that with the experience of coach Moran I feel like we are going to see our runners compete and experience success on and off the cross-country course.”

Park opens the season at home Thursday, Sept. 1, running at the Grey Cloud Elementary/ Cottage Grove Middle School course, starting at 3:30 p.m.

The Conference finals will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Tanners Brook Golf Course.