The Brownwood Lions and Lady Lions cross country teams were the first to open practice Monday to start the 2022-23 school year.
Lady Lions first-year head coach Kay Parrish reported 14 cross country-only girls, along with athletes from other sports in attendance at practice Monday as Brownwood looks to defend its district championship.
“They’re all excited, they’re eager and they’re ready to win district again,” Parrish said. “They’ve got their eye on that goal again.”
The Lady Lions return the bulk of last year’s championship squad – Kate Tindol, Sidney Windham, Talia Craff, Braycee Lee, Miranda Northcutt and Kylea Karnes.
“The expectations are high,” Parrish said. “They missed going to state by 14 points. They finished fourth at regionals and this year they have their eyes on going all the way. They have been working hard since July. We started running in the mornings around July 1 and they have been running really hard.”
Second-year Lions head coach Will Parker reported a total of 25 boys out for the first day of practice.
“We have baseball, soccer, basketball guys and cross country guys all together,” Parker said. “If they’re not in football they’re out there competing and that’s what we want. We’re getting out there running and lifting like everyone else, that way they have the rest of the day to hit in the cages or get in the gym and shoot, whatever sports their doing, we’re giving them time to also work on those skills. We’re trying to give all our guys the opportunity to go out there and get better.”
The Lions missed out on qualifying for regionals last year, which is the top priority this season.
“Caleb Nelson will be our senior and will lead us for sure,” Parker said. “We have some guys who are leaning how to run and are building on what they did last year, so we’ll have some sophomores step up that will be good to see. It’s going to be an exciting year.”
