Over 30 runners between boys and girls are out for the Knoxville Cross Country Program this fall. The summer afforded a shorter workout plan than usual, but boys coach Michael Splavec tells KRLS Sports everyone seems eager and ready for the season to get started.

Splavec:
“Full varsity and full JV team. They put in a shortened summer workout program, we were going everyday Monday-Friday. The kids knew they didn’t have a lot of time to put in the work, so they were trying to push each other to achieve some of their goals.”

It will be a very young team on the boys side with no seniors on the team, while the girls will be led by Norah Pearson. The sophomore had one of the greatest freshman seasons in program history breaking numerous records and finishing fifth at the class 3A state meet last fall to earn all-state recognition. The Panthers first meet is their own Early Bird Invitational at the high school on Monday August 24th.