By Mike Pankonien
Staff Writer

The Coppell cross country team has certainly had a busy year: after running five races, the girl’s team has come in second place twice and first place three times.

“We’ve definitely been strong this year,” cross country coach Roxanne Farris said.  “We just need to keep it up and be ready in time for regional.”

This year’s girl’s team is made up of roughly 30 girls and has led a very impressive season so far:  placing no worse than sixth in any of their meets, the team is well on its way to the state tournament in November.

“The girls have been working really hard this year,” sophomore Alexis Meyer said. “We’ve been giving 120% at every meet and everybody’s doubled their performance since last year.”

The team itself is actually split into two categories: while the top seven runners compete at varsity level, the rest compete in the junior varsity level.  Some meets have an even higher level of competition, the elite level, where those originally poised to run at the varsity level run the elite level and the next seven after them take the varsity spot.

“We’re more motivated this year,” sophomore Erin Obrien said. “Coach Farris and the seniors have been doing a great job of keeping everybody in shape and pushing us to give our all during all the practices and meets.”

The team just recently came back from the Lubbock Invitational where the girl’s team came in first place with junior Kim Kirby taking first and sophomore Kaleigh Ervin taking third.  The team is set to compete at the Keller Invitational on Oct. 3.