RITZVILLE – As the 2025 cross country season begins, the Lind/Ritzville Broncos are ready to learn. Head Coach Christina Heater said her team is a bit bigger than last year.  

“We're a pretty small team. Last year we had two seniors graduate, but I knew it would be growing for this year, because we had a number of eighth graders who would be freshmen,” Heater said.  

Due to the Broncos' smaller roster, at times they weren't able to compete for state in 2024. Heater said runners focused on improving their times and hitting personal records. However, this year they have they need.  

“I'm excited because we'll have enough to have an official team and that also helps with things like state allocations and stuff like that. The more schools in the league that have official teams, then the more state allocations you can get,” she said.  

This will be Heater’s fifth year coaching the Broncos cross country team, she said. When she first joined, she had no experience with cross country. However, there was a need for someone to fill the role in 2020, so she stepped up.  

“I treat it more as like an advisor or manager, because I don't have a running background. I try to watch videos and read up a little bit on tips for cross country, but I never ran cross country or anything myself,” she said.  

However, this year Heater will have some help from new Assistant Coach Bryce Court. Court has running experience that he brings with him, Heater said. His experience will help train runners, she said.  

Having someone who knows more of the practical side will take some stress off her shoulders, she said.  

Heater said she is confident in the Broncos potential to make the postseason this year.  

The team has a variety of skill levels, she said, and while some will build on a solid foundation, others will be focusing on basics, learning and improving. Some of the high schoolers are running six-minute miles while less experienced athletes are still learning how to pace themselves and will be working to get faster.  

She said she's excited to see the younger athletes improve. While the technical side of cross country may not be her first language, supporting her athletes in whatever they need is. She aims to be a positive coach who encourages the team to keep improving.  

“I try to be a more positive coach, and my job is to cheer them on and to give them the information they need,” Heater said.  

As they look to the start of the season, Heater said Cade Galbreath and Lane Plumb are team anchors. Galbreath has ran a six-minute mile before, so Heater wants to help him do it more consistently to make a bid for state. She said Galbreath is right behind him.  

“I love the environment and the sportsmanship of cross country, everybody cheers for everybody,” Heater said.  

The Broncos have their first meet on Sept. 10 at Valley Christian High School for their Jamboree.  

    Broncos cross country does sprints during practice to work on their mile times. Head Coach Christina Heater said the team is hoping to send a few runners to state this year.
  

    Broncos cross country does high knees to warm up for practice. Head Coach Christina Heater said she tries to create a supportive family atmosphere with the team.
  

    Assistant cross country coach Bryce Court, green, gives feedback to runners during practice. Court is also the Broncos golf coach but has stepped in to help Head Coach Christina Heater this season.