LUSK – Building a new sports program doesn’t happen overnight at a small school, and head coach Jim Lyons is well aware of that fact. This is the third official cross country season for Lusk andhehasapairof freshmen girls poised for success.
When Hazel Gaukel and Maci Lyons entered their first high school meet, they made history as the first Lady Tiger cross country runners in school history. as it takes four to score team points,” said Lyons. “And we’d certainly like that by the time state rolls around.”
The competition won’t be easy as of the 33 that en- tered last year’s 2A State Championships, only two were seniors. Big Horn, Tongue River and Wyoming Indian are among the favorites he felt.
Lyons has been researching past Niobrara County High School stu- dents that ran cross country for either Douglas or Torrington, and the list is a short one. Among those that had success are Jeff Thomson, Jason Wasserburger,and Will Fish.
“Our expectations for these two girls are fairly high,” noted Lyons. “When you look at mile times and adjust it to running a 5K, they both should be among the top ten.”
Lyons suggested that senior Fran Bannan will join the team after her golf season is over, and the middle school has five runners out this fall.
The Powder River Conference champion-ships will be Oct. 17, with state the following weekend in Cheyenne Oct. 25.
