It is a different look to the Melcher-Dallas Cross Country Squad this season. Two important runners are not out, but that has not dampened the hopes for Coach Amy Stuart. On the girls side, Trista Hansaker, who had a solid season on the track as a sprinter, is running cross country this fall. Stuart tells KNIA Sports that while Hansaker is not comfortable running longer races, she is embracing the leadership role as the most experienced runner on the squad.

Stuart: “Even though she’s not really comfortable running a 5K, she comes out and is the leader. she’s the most experienced and hopefully passes along her knowledge to the girls side.”

Austin Remster is the most experienced on the boys side. Stuart adds the entire team is just getting a baseline for the season when they run for real at Albia next week. Catch an entire interview with Stuart on the Hy-Vee Radio Coaches Corner this Saturday at nine on KNIA.