The 2024 Enid High Plainsmen and Pacer Cross Country Teams came to this season on very different footings. The boys were coming off an excellent building year, only losing one varsity runner to graduation and had high expectations. The girl’s team lost several varsity runners, and their head coach, so were looking to find their way. In the end, both teams met some of their goals, but still have more to look forward to.
Senior Blake Jensen was the clear leader last year, but this year has been pushed by another Senior, Carson Nault and a star Freshman, Jose Hernandez, all of whom have taken turns leading the team during meets this year. As a group, they are usually between 30 and 60 seconds faster than last year’s team, and even losing a Varsity starter to injury, has not slowed them down much. “Losing a Varsity starter could be really bad, however, our Junior Varsity team is so strong and deep, we are able to replace them and not lose too much time,” said Head Coach Justin DeClerck. Jensen won the Enid home meet, and both the Varsity and JV won the Ponca City meet, which given the rivalry is extra special.
At the beginning of the year, the boys set a goal to make the state meet as a team, and DeClerck believes they can meet that goal. “These next two weeks, we really need to train hard and have lot of effort, but we have a real shot if they run well,” said DeClerck.
As for the girls, getting used to a new coach has been a challenge for both coach and runners, but DeClerck has been excited to step up into the new role as head of the girl’s program as well. “I am so happy and grateful they selected me as girl’s coach this year, and while coaching girls has been different than coaching boys, but both me and the girls are learning each other and figuring it out,” said DeClerck. Even after losing a few Varsity starters, the girls are up to 45 seconds fast as a team this year. The Varsity girls also won the Ponca City meet with Junior Esmeralda Solis usually leading the team with promising Sophomore Cassidy Lebeda pushing her at most races. “Unlike the boys, we aren’t losing very many seniors off the girls’ team this year, so we have some real potential if they keep up the hard work,” said Declerck. This group of runners has put in the miles, and now it’s time to show up, and hopefully make state!
