GRHS Cross Country team has their eyes on a trophy

After facing some of the toughest teams in the state at Regionals last week, the Green River High School Cross Country team is ready to take their marks for the State competition on Saturday. 

Regionals for 3A West took place in Riverton last Wednesday, with the Wolves going up against teams from Cody, Powell, Evanston, Lander, Lyman, Mountain View and Riverton. 

"This was the tougher side of the state," Head Coach Craig Leavitt explained. "So all of the top ranked teams were all on this side."

The Lady Wolves put up a fight against the competition, finishing in fourth place overall and having two runners finish in the top 10. Isabelle Murdock led the way as she has for most of the season, finishing in eighth, with her sister Madison Murdock close behind once again with a 10th-place finish. 

Going against most of the best teams at Regionals was good preparation for State, according to Coach Leavitt.

"It's like you get one more chance at it," he noted. 

Powell and Cody are especially tough competition on the girls' side, but Coach Leavitt thinks the Green River girls aren't far behind Evanston and will have a good shot at competing with and possibly beating them. While other new teams like Buffalo will also add some extra pressure, Coach Leavitt thinks the girls are in a good position to compete. 

"At least we know who the top teams are," he added. "It's going to be a good race. Anything can happen still." 

The Lady Wolves will also have some extra help with the return of Makynzee Bagshaw, who has been out due to an injury. Previously one of the top runners for the team, Bagshaw will be returning this week to compete at State. 

While the girls are a bit nervous because of how much they care about how they finish, they're also excited, according to Coach Leavitt. They also have their eyes on the prize. 

"The girls haven't brought home a trophy since the 90s, so this is probably the closest they've been since then," Leavitt explained. 

When it comes to the young boys team, it will be the first time most of the runners have been to State. Coach Leavitt is excited for them to lay a foundation they will be able to build on for the rest of their high school careers.

"It'll be a good experience for them," he said. "They'll really get a measure of what it's going to be like."

For the entire team, competing at State will be a fun challenge. 

"I think the boys are just excited about getting to go," Coach Leavitt said. For the girls, "the goal is to bring back a trophy."