With a well-balanced mixture of upperclassmen, underclassmen and a strong work ethic to match, coaches feel confident about the upcoming cross country season.

During the 2013-2014 season, the women’s team placed 13th out of 14 conference schools while the men finished 11th out of 14 schools. According to Student Assistant Coach Brandon Chapoton, these were improvements from the 2012-2013 season.

“We hope to improve the overall quality of both the women’s and men’s team,” said Chapoton. “We are looking to build on the progress the team has showed as a whole. We’re going to see some good competition this season and look forward to competing against some of the better schools in the south region.”

Returning this season is  junior Harry Wiggins, the team’s top finisher from last season, junior Joseph Edwards and sophomore Leonel Moreno for the men’s team and seniors Katie Neil and Jennifer Ernst for the women’s team, will be competing in the races to come in fall 2014 and providing a strong base for the team.

In addition, the incoming athletes are expected to strengthen the team further and help returners compete. 

“We have a pretty solid group of incoming freshmen from around Louisiana,” said Chapoton. “On our women’s side, we have two very good two-milers who competed against one another during their four years in high school, and they are Clarissa Smith [from Holden High School] and Celia Zaeringer [from Patrick F. Taylor High School]. Both of these athletes will bring a great deal of enthusiasm for running to the team, as well as a great work ethic that we are sure will be contagious. 

On the men’s side, we have Michael Perez and Isaiah Gilbert [both from Ponchatoula].  These two young men bring a dedication and will-to-win to our men’s side. Both are blue collar workers and only want to improve. We see them as a great addition to the Lion track family.”

Head coach Sean Brady feels good about the upcoming season, believing both the talent of the returning athletes and incoming freshmen will create a sound team.

“I get excited every August to see our teams report to cross country camp,” said Brady. “It is only a matter weeks until the ‘new Lions’ freshmen will have their first opportunity to express their talent and show the hard work they have put in over the summer. Our returning athletes know what a competitive environment the Southland Conference can be.  Distance runners from Kenya, Great Britain, Australia and all over the globe will be competing for the top spots. Coach Chapoton will have teams ready in November for the SLC championships.”