Mission cross country looks to send big group to state
By BRANDON HANSEN For the Leader | Lake County Leader | UPDATED 7 months AGO
St. Ignatius Freshman, Hudson Hawkaluk finishes the 5,000 meter run at 23 minutes. He places 45th out of 72 runners in the Ronan Canal Bank Run. (Emily Messer / Leader)
The Mission Bulldogs cross country program wants the conclusion of its season to be a busy one at the state meet.
“Starting out this year, expectations are to see all of our upperclassmen and numerous JV (if not all) runners make it to state,” said head coach, Casey Helmer. “We have had an exceptional turnout this year, especially for the middle school team—over double the amount of new runners we had last year.”
Helmer credited offseason dedication as a major reason the team is already in midseason form.
“I have been lucky in that most of the team has been consistent throughout the summer, keeping them ready to improve starting yesterday,” Helmer said. “As usual, every runner faces challenges, but going into the season knowing those individual challenges are only opportunities for growth keeps everyone working on improvement constantly.”
With that mindset, Helmer said the Bulldogs are embracing both experience and youth. Each runner brings a unique strength, and together the roster forms a balanced, competitive group.
“While every runner has their own strengths that make them stand out on our team; best last leg sprint—Jason Leishman, most perseverance—Sage Assiniboine and Jake Helser, and most improved—Quincey Jensen,” Helmer said.
Helmer also highlighted a group of newcomers and underclassmen who could make an immediate impact.
“If we are talking newcomers, I have a few freshmen with incredible potential—Isaiah Garipey—who joined the team last year with an abundance of potential," Helmer said. "Throughout this summer he has been consistently working hard to come into this season ready to compete. Though Isaiah is a frontrunner, the entire team is certainly one to be proud of.”
Beyond Garipey, Helmer pointed to several younger runners to watch.
“We have a few underclassmen runners—Isaac Morigeau, Sonny Matt, and Brooklyn Leishman—who deserve special mention and are ones to watch,” Helmer said.
The influx of new talent and steady leadership from upperclassmen gives the Bulldogs the kind of depth rarely seen in small-school cross country. That depth will be crucial in the tough races ahead.
Helmer is proud of how the team is approaching the season: not just by focusing on individual achievements but by raising the overall standard together.
“Every runner faces challenges,” Helmer reiterated, “but going into the season knowing those individual challenges are only opportunities for growth keeps everyone working on improvement constantly.”
With strong returning runners, promising freshmen, and an expanding middle school program feeding the pipeline, Mission cross country looks ready to continue its upward trajectory. The team’s sights are set firmly on October, when state berths are decided.