The 2024-2025 varsity boys and girls cross country teams.
Courtesy | Photorama
Coming off a district runner-up and regional appearance last season, the Galion cross country team must now reload if it intends to match or exceed last season’s showing.
Gone are three seniors from the girls team, including Nora Harding, who served as the girls second or third runner. Combined with the departures of Kenzie Lehman and Sadie Mosqueda, the Galion girls will be without a considerable chunk of the leadership core from a year ago.
On the boys’ side, Galion loses Wyatt Estep, Riley Gabriel, Landon Justice, Blake Risner, and Luke Tinnermeier, leaving a void in experience and leadership after they spent years in the program. Seventh-year head coach Cindy Conner called last year’s boys team “the most bonded team I have ever coached.”
“If you saw one of them, you saw 10 of them,” Conner said. “They looked out for each other at school, in town, at meets. Really, everywhere.”
While both teams have lost critical pieces, the Tigers won’t be without returning talent this season. The returning group for the girls includes one of the best distance runners in the state in sophomore Kayla Halbisen, who was a state qualifier and All-Ohio performer last season while finishing with the second-fastest time in school history.
Halbisen will be joined by senior Grace Sparks, junior Maddie Beck, and fellow sophomores Kenzie Halbisen and Alayna Griffith.
“Kenzie and Alayna were running just behind Kayla last year and will definitely improve this year,” Conner said. “Maddie fought some injuries last year but we are hoping she is back to health and running where she was her freshman year. Grace is our senior leader and is off to a great start bringing the girls together.”
On the boys’ side, plenty of upperclassmen return despite the loss of five graduating seniors from a year ago. The group includes seniors Anthony Ferini, Cohen Pierce, Ashton Faulds, Isaiah North, and Brayden Roberts. They are joined by juniors Logan Estep, Collin Peden and Skyler Bucher.
“The boys team is full of returning runners, and they are excited to get the season going. They have put in the miles this summer and want to continue this fall,” Conner said.
In addition to the returning runners, both teams have new additions this season who are finding their place on the team. The Galion girls have added junior Ramiah Lewis, sophomore Jaiden Jones, and freshman Savannah Nelson. Another runner, Sarah Peoples, has also rejoined the team after some time off due to injury.
Gordon Ekin and Aaron Thompson will join the boys team this year.
“The team has set some high expectations for themselves,” Conner said. “The first being their mindset. They want to make sure that their season is full of positivity. They are also looking to score well at the county meet, in the league, and have also set a goal to continue to the postseason.”
To achieve those goals, Conner said the emphasis this offseason has been on mileage and increasing foot speed. She noted some daily drills have also been added for ankle strength, foot turnover, and flexibility.
More than anything, though, Conner believes the key to the season will be the team’s mentality.
“I think their mindset will determine where their season goes,” she said. “It is a rebuilding year after graduating so many seniors who were amazing leaders. We are a small team but if they can pull themselves together, they can turn heads.”
She added that regardless of how the season ultimately plays out, she has a team she enjoys being around and that enjoys being around each other.
“This particular group of athletes is kind,” she said. “They have come together already this summer, and I appreciate working with kids who want to be here and want to put in the time. Not to mention, the girls make some amazing bouquets from the flowers they pick on a run.”
