The Mustangs from Gordon-Rushville will be taking to the track this week as they are set to begin the 2026 season.
With 34 student-athletes out for competition this spring, Coach Nate Haag is hopeful for plenty of success from the group.
G-R took a year off from sending anyone to Omaha for the State Meet but plenty of returners are ready to take their shot in 2026.
Five seniors are set to lead this large group into the 2026 season in various events. All have extensive experience with the Mustangs.
Claire Wellnitz, Elijah Ross, Rowan Simonson, Tristin Costello, and Kylie Goings are that group of seniors and they are ready for their final go as a Mustang.
“This group is leading by example at practice everyday,” said Coach Haag.
“They are working really hard and are doing a great job at showing their teammates the drills and workouts we do on a daily basis,” he added.
A strong base of newcomers have also entered the mix for G-R to help bolster the returning talent.
Junior Rarity Cournoyer is coming off a third place finish in Nebraska Class C State Cross Country Championships in the fall. She will focus on the distance races.
A pair of freshman have also entered the mix on the girl’s side with Brittney Dehning and Grace Freeseman.
Dehning set records in Middle School and will look to build upon that at the next level.
Goings will lead the ladies in the sprints and she will be joined by Freeseman to give the team several options for those fast twitch races.
Sophomore Robert Moore, junior Riley Lefler, and Ross are all running very well right now in the longer distances. That group is pushing one another daily according to Coach Haag.
Sophomore Braylon Holston is also set to return in the field events, both in jumps and throws where he will look to take his game to the next level.
“It is going to take a lot of hard work at practice for our athletes to earn that ticket to Omaha,” said Coach Haag.
“Our district is very tough and we will need to practice at a high level to get the results we want come May.”
The season will begin for the group on Friday, March 27 with a meet in Scottsbluff, Neb.
They will follow that up with their second meet in Bayard on April 2.