North Platte cross country hopes a return to the medal stand is on tap this November after missing out on team medals last year for the first time since 2018.
While both teams missed a medal, they both managed a sixth-place finish at state. Both teams have set high expectations after graduating just one runner from the school, Brianna DeBord, a three-time state medalist and three-time conference champion who will compete at Missouri Western University this fall.
The coaching duo of Brendan Cary and Matt Keraus, who led North Platte’s girls track team’s fourth consecutive state title last spring, leads both cross country teams this fall. They view both teams as having the ability to continue what has been a very successful program.
“Both teams are in a position to continue success at the conference, district, and state levels,” Cary said. “But it will depend on our hunger for success, commitment to doing the things that will make us great individuals and teams, and consistent improvement to be our best when the end of the season arrives.”
In DeBord’s departure, Chloe Heckman steps up as the Panthers’ top returner for her senior year. The three-time conference champion and three-time state medalist is looking to grow her medal collection before the holiday season.
The girls team is also bolstered by two-time all-conference and all-state junior Annabell DeBord and senior state qualifier Lilly Schaffart. As a freshman, Schaffart was a member of the 2022 state championship team, which capped off an era of four consecutive team medals for the girls program. Now, the lady Panthers hope for a podium return after missing the past two years.
On the boys side, North Platte returns all eight runners that carried the Panthers to sixth in the state meet last year. While they were disappointed to miss out on what would have been a third straight team medal, they return this season hoping to make up for it.
Senior Drake Keraus returns after finishing fifth in the state and winning a conference championship last year. Sophomore Bill Schaffart is hoping to race for all-state honors while junior Devin Navarro and Trey Heckman will provide some competitive experience with some underclass prospects filling out the rest of the roster.
North Platte will race in the cross country state championships on November 7 at Gans Creek in Columbia if the season goes as planned.