Numbers have been on the rise for Wayne High cross country all the way from the junior high ranks up to the varsity seniors.
Also, a staggering number shared showcases 62 runners, managers and coaches from 7-12 make up the Blue Devils runners this season.
Head coaches include Courtney Maas is in her 16th year and entering year number nine leading the girls along with Terry Beair leading the boys for starting his ninth year.
Berkly Brummond will lead the junior high team while Kent Pulfer returns as a volunteer coach.
The Blue Devil girls will be made up of nine while there will be 23 boys on the high school team.
For the Wayne girls, seniors include Josie Ley, Kennasyn Blecke, Lilyan Hurner and Sharon Vasquez. Boden Dobbins and Aidan Bohnert will be the senior boys.
The group continued their open road and weight room routine.
NSAA practices began on August 11 where teams can have more of a structured schedule.
Coach Maas said the Wayne girls are going through their dynamics, some intervals to work on speed and coaches can begin to talk race strategy.
"I see that we have a very strong team of runners this year, said Maas. "They are very motivated and have put in a lot of time. I think just working to be better each day and that will get them to achieve their goals."
Three seniors who provided strong roles on the team from their running abilities and leadership will be missed. The incoming senior class has looked to fill the void and are ready for the challenge.
"Lilyan Hurner is a returning top runner along with additional experience from Josie Ley and Kennasyn Blecke who were also varsity runners last year, Maas added. "Sophomore Hannah Brogren worked her way to a varsity position at the end of the season last year and has put some miles in this summer."
Newcomers include freshmen Tayla Hurner and Elizabeth Hix who were both very strong, talented runners throughout Junior High.
"They’ve put in a lot of miles throughout the summer and are very excited about the season," Maas mentioned. "I know these two are ready for high school competition."
Sharon Vasquez is returning for her senior year as a runner who was a manager for a season.
Other members include Mariana Nexticapan Hernandez and Karla Wynia who have both joined the team as sophomores.
Coach Maas would like to see a more competitive edge from the girls.
Two girls qualified for state last season with one returning.
Senior Lilyan Hurner placed 56th (22:04.8) in Kearney last October. She also brings state experience from the 2023 Class C championship team her freshman year after placing 52nd (22:48.83).
Seniors Kennasyn Blecke, Josie Ley and Lilyan Hurner sat down with the Wayne Herald following an August 18 afternoon practice cooling down in the Early Learning Center.
All three picked up running during their early elementary age.
The Blue Devil girls continued to run, building up endurance and mileage as well as progressing to improving their time with sprints.
Morning runs during the summer were cooler as the team adjusts to the afternoon heat with some of their meets during the warmer part of the day.
Blecke highlighted the first week of NSAA practices.
"We were kind of transitioning from our longer runs to where we would do six or seven miles for our long runs into then the 40-minutes," said Blecke. "So, really more so picking up speed getting into a race mindset."
As the team was meeting still to set their goals, one stood out that they want to make it to state as a team which hasn't been done since their freshman year.
Ley said the more the team encourages each other, the better everyone does overall.
"I know a lot of people don't like running but I really want the team to get closer," said Ley. "We try to host as many team bonding events during the year as we can. The more you're closer with the team, the more you look forward to practices and meets and the better your mindset is."
Lilyan Hurner shared a message to the underclassmen.
"Just keep believing in yourself," said Lilyan Hurner. "Don't give up. It gets difficult but you'll always get through it. It's not the end of the road."
The group is most excited for the meet environment of the race and feeling proud of themselves.
The Blue Devils want to thank their fans and families.
"Thanks for supporting me and really just keeping up with my needs," said Blecke. "The constant hydrating, the constant eating. The carb-loading before races, insane."
"We really appreciate support at all our meets," said Ley. "During a run, when you hear people cheering you on and supporting you it does help so much."
"All the parents and all the people there supporting your team are always cheering for everybody no matter if they know them or not," said Lilyan Hurner. "That in of it self is so encouraging and I really appreciate that."
Success also shined for the Wayne boys who qualified their entire team now three straight seasons but will only have three returners off last year's state team.
"I have no doubt that the boys are up to the challenge this season to be one of the top teams in the state," said Beair. The coaching staff was very impressed with their commitment to their summer conditioning open road runs."
WHS finished 10th last year with 157 points. Returners include incoming junior Emmanuel Gonzalez who took 44th (17:48.98) last year and 42nd (18:15.72) in 2023, junior Landen Claussen who took 95th (18:55.12) and senior Boden Dobbins who placed 98th (19:16.95) last year and 94th (19:35.69) in 2023 on the 5K course in Kearney.
Other members with state experience will be junior Alvaro Archundia who took 52nd in 2023 (18:24.43) but was injured last season along with junior Camden Hall who took 97th (19:39.79) two seasons ago.
"With our increase in numbers our preseason practices have been very competitive and we have many runners that are able to fill the varsity spots," said Beair. "Expectations set by the team are very high and the coaching staff are very excited to get the season underway."
Senior Boden Dobbins and junior Emmanuel Gonzalez also spoke with the Wayne Herald after their August 18 practice.
Dobbins did some intermittent running of the local 5ks but started cross country in seventh grade.
Gonzalez didn't pick up running until seventh grade during his first year in Wayne. He would run around the house but never did the 5ks until junior high.
Most of the summer, the Blue Devil boys worked on getting miles up and improves on their long distance. A focus has been to run as a pack.
Both shared on their first week-plus of practices.
"We've been doing a lot of interval workouts," said Dobbins. "They (coaches) have really been pushing us hard trying to get ready for this year because we lost a lot of really good guys last year. I still think we're going to do just as well this year."
"It's been hot, so they've (coaches) been giving us more speed workouts just to get used to the heat and get ready for meets. I feel like this year, they've been maybe a little extra hard to try not to lose so much as last year."
Goals are win districts, return to state as a team and place better at state.
Gonzalez shared a message to the underclassmen.
"Even if you are a freshman or a sophomore you can still be up at varsity, just try and stay up with the guys," said Gonzalez. "As long as you try to stay up with the fast guys and you'll eventually be fast."
Dobbins talked more about the Monday, September 15 Wayne Invite.
"We're going to give it our all out there, especially at the home meet," said Dobbins. "That's where we push ourselves the hardest. We'll definitely show out for that meet."
The Wayne High cross country season will open on September 5 at the Boone Central Invite in Albion starting at 10 a.m.
Wayne's home meet is scheduled for September 15 at the Wayne Country Club at 3 p.m.
The girls race will be followed by the boys then junior high girls and boys before closing out a PALS run. It’s also Parents Night where the seniors and their parents as well as the freshman through juniors will be recognized. 'We would love a big crowd out cheering them on.'
Coach Maas said, "you’re going to see some success this season. Several of these girls have been running since third grade. The bond they have amongst one another is so fun. They laugh, smile, and have fun all while running and pushing each other. They’re going to be a lot of fun to follow."
Also, circle your calendar to cheer on the junior high runners under the lights in Pierce on October 7 at 7:15 p.m.
