Demons cross-country looks to return to region and state tournament form this season

Warner Robins High School head cross-country and track coach David Erpelding knows his team has an uphill climb this season and I’m not just talking about at their home course at Huntington Middle School. The season started this week with a 10 am practice run and will conclude on November 5 at the state cross-country meet in Carrollton. In the meantime the Demons will have plenty of tough competition to run against in what is a new region with the likes of Bainbridge High School, Harris County High School, Thomas County Central High School and neighboring Veterans High School. “2016 is a new season with a lot of optimism,” says Erpelding, “with both the boys and girls [teams] hungry for success.” Erpelding will be counting on a veteran squad to move the team into position for a top spot at the state meet. “I have done some scouting of all the programs and it looks good for both of our squads to make it back to the state meet,” says Erpelding, “our goal is to get back to the level we were at four years ago.”

Both Demons cross-country teams qualified for the state tournament in 2012 and the boy’s team won the region in 2011.

According to Erpelding both Demons cross-country squads will rely heavily on upperclassmen. “We have quite a few new girls that could make a difference in the scoring by the time we get to the regional’s,” he says. Senior Rebecca James and sophomore Morgan Lee will lead the Lady Demons. Juniors Franco Sosa and Alex Trotter will anchor the boy’s team. “We are mostly a junior and sophomore squad with several seniors that could be key to our success,” says Erpelding.

Along with the traditional local, county and state meets, the Demons will be participating in a particular national meet for the first time in five years. On Sat., Oct. 8 the Demons along with dozens of the country’s top cross-country teams will be competing in the Disney World Cross-Country Classic in Orlando, Florida. “We went to the Disney Cross-Country Classic in 2011 and the boys team finished in the top 10,” said Erpelding. “I decided to take the top 10 boys and top 10 girls on the team again this fall as a way to motivate them to do their best this season.” The kids will get an opportunity to visit the world famous amusement park following the completion of competition.

The Demons’ cross-country season starts at the Midstate Classic, which will be held at the Cherokee Pines Golf and Fitness Club golf course in Perry on Sat., Aug. 20.

HHJ News