Wolverine runners looking for a break in the weather

Weiser High School’s cross country season is about to get underway. A total of nine competitions are on the schedule, starting with the New Plymouth Invite on Friday Aug. 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Coaches and runners alike are holding out high hopes for a break in the area’s 95 plus degree temperatures and relief from wildland fire smoke that has affected the valley and beyond air quality for over a month.

 Catching up with WHS coach Scott Hale last week, he said his team’s first practice would be early Monday morning, Aug. 12. Expect to see groups of runners or individual teens out pounding the pavement as they prep for the upcoming season.

 Hale said he knew of around five girls and eight to 10 boys that have shown interest in running this fall.

 “It likely won’t be finalized for sure until a week into the season,” Hale said. “We’re hoping to find a few more girls willing to join so we have at least a full seven person team.”

 Hale expressed real optimism about his returning runners. 

 “We have a lot of returning runners among the boys from last year’s varsity, and a fair amount of new runners showing interest,” he said. “It’s the same for the girls team, but we had such a small team, the graduating seniors will be sorely missed.”

 The team’s schedule holds two meets right here in Weiser giving local fans a chance to cheer on the Wolverines. Both will be held at Rolling Hills Golf Course, with the Weiser Invite starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, and the SRV Meet on Friday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m.

 Barring any changes, the farthest the team will travel will be on Friday, Sept. 20, to the Dani Bates Meet at the Sunway Complex in Twin Falls. Otherwise, the rest of the schedule is within an hour or so drive from here.