Boys and girls cross country runners from Platte County are preparing for another season of distance races with both teams returning state medalists from last year.
On the boys side, Blake Herron will return for his senior campaign as a two-time state medalist in cross country after a top-10 finish last year. For the girls, Tyler Stambersky returns after medaling last year as a freshman.
“I believe we have kids who are new and returning that will do a great job of competing and doing their best,” head coach Courtland Ingram said. “I think the biggest impact they will make will be on one another and hopefully helping mold each other into better versions of themselves.”
The Platte County boys earned a pair of top-10 finishes last year in Class 4, but graduated eighth-place finisher Tanner Jenks. The Pirates return five of last year’s seven state runners for the 2025 season.
The lady Pirates finished 10th as a team at state last year in Class 4 and return four of the seven state runners from a year ago. Ingram is excited to see his runners stride toward additional feats in the months ahead.
“I am excited to watch this group of seniors lead and leave a mark on the younger kids’ lives,” Ingram said. “I think and hope they will finish the season proud of what they have accomplished and who they have become in the process.”