The Knoxville Cross Country Program has been striving to contend for the South Central Conference this fall. For the boys, the Panthers have the returning conference champion in Isaac Rankin and Coach Michael Splavec tells KNIA/KRLS Sports is confident about his team’s chances to either contend, or even steal a championship this season.

Michael: “I’m feeling really confident where we’re at. I know finishing 4th last year wasn’t where we wanted to finish. It’ll be tough and I know Coach Horton down at Chariton has them running very well, they’re ranked and if we can steal some points and maybe steal a conference championship we can do that.”

Splavec has been impressed by the emergence of Cael Cook this season. Cook has had a top ten and is coming off a 20th place finish on Tuesday in Grinnell. For the girls, Coach Mikayla Splavec tells KNIA/KRLS Sports she is looking forward to several of the initial meets to get an idea of who some of the contending teams will have by the time the conference meet comes around.

Mikayla: “I know last year Albia had a very good team, so it’ll be interesting to see what they have. I know we have a good pack of 5-6 girls that have been training well with each other, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they do in meets and run with each other.”

Senior runners Janae Baker and Natalie Collins have been running well and they have been joined by Janie Maasdam and Halle Baker. The Panthers will run this Tuesday at Oskaloosa.