It’s no secret the Deer Creek cross country team will be missing some of their seniors from a year ago. The team will be without Adam Young, the 2007 Class 4A state champion, along with Eric Fairbairn, Jared Clark, Jacob Mild and Mitchell Moore, who guided the squad to their second straight state title last fall.
While the losses might be great, the Antlers will not be short on talent this fall. DC returns senior William Kwendi, the Antlers’ seventh-man last year, and junior Dakota Buck, who was the 2007 state runner-up behind Young.
“Last year I had the confidence in them, and this year with those five leaving and me being the oldest, it’s an interesting team you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kwendi said. “If we do win it, it’s going to be a hard battle and that’s what I like.”
Kwendi placed 17th at the state meet, and should see improvement this fall. He has taken on a leadership role this year.
“He’s our man leader, does what you ask for, and a kid you can count on day in and day out,” Deer Creek coach David Riden said.
Buck also showed incredible talent as sophomore last year, and could be a legitimate contender this year. To get there, the junior will need to quickly find his strength after battling mono for much of the summer.
“It’s been a tough summer for him, he’s not where we’d all hoped he’d be, he hasn’t had the ideal preparation,” Riden said. “I think he can still get there, but it’s been hard to evaluate where he is right now.”
Riden said the varsity squad will rely on several young runner to fill the others spots, but still has high hopes for this season.
“We still expect to compete for a state title, we have leaders to do it and we have young kids that are hungry, so when you still have those elements you still have conversations about it,” Riden said.
The Lady Antlers also have a returning state runner up in Hillarie Kessler, and could be a contender this fall.
“I think our girls team will be in the hunt as well, I think they’re definitely a top three at state type team,” Riden said. “And where they fit into that will depend on how these young ones progress.”
Following her successful cross country season, Kessler went on to win the 1600-meter run and finish second in the 3200-meter run at the Class 5A state track meet. Her sights are now set on bringing home both an individual and team state title.
“Her goals and my goals are to win it, and I think she’s more than capable,” Riden said.
Kessler should find plenty of competition from her teammates this fall. A couple of a talented underclassmen, sophomore Lantana McGraw and freshman Roman Edward have pushed her in preseason practices, and should be solid contributors.
“We have a bunch of new girls that have stepped up, they have been running up into the pack and pushing everyone, so we have a good chance to do well this year,” Riden said.
The Deer Creek squads open the season Saturday at the Sapulpa Chieftain Invitational.
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