on the first day of practice
The first day of practice must have seemed like the movie "Groundhog Day" to FHS coach Heidi Revels. The 2011 edition of Tiger cross country looked like a xeroxed copy of the squad that finished sixth in the Missota Conference and 10th in Section 1AA last fall.
Seven letterwinners, who logged most of the varsity running time last year, return from 2010, led by sophomore all-conference honorable mention performer Maricia Pacheco who missed most of the 2010 track season with a stress fracture.
"We are hoping Maricia is healed up and ready to race," Revels said.
Also returning are seniors Bailey Opsal, a staple in the varsity lineup since seventh grade, and Marissa Stewart; junior Maria Kiminski, a state track meet qualifier last spring, and freshmen Sofia Chadwick, Victoria Jacoby and Morgan Medved.
Eighth-grader Maricella Pachecho is also expected to make a run at the varsity starting lineup this fall.
"We have a large group of younger girls out this year, too," Revels said. "It will be fun to see what talent they bring."
Revels said it's not only her team's experience that gives her optimism but also the extra work some of the girls put in over the summer months.
"They should continue to show steady improvement," she said. "The girls are supportive of each other but they also have a healthy competition level with several of them running close together during races."
Revels picked Shakopee and Red Wing to lead the race for top honors in the Missota with Lakeville North and Lakeville South favored in Section 1AA.
"I think we have the ability to move up in the conference and section," she said, "although the larger teams will continue to have the advantage...Our goal is always to do better."
The Tiger coach added she is looking forward to working with newly appointed Tiger boys coach Lisa Lippold whom she described as "having a lot of fresh ideas".
Revels also has a new assistant coach Allison Laube who formerly worked with the highly successful Tiger track program. Connie Berg returns to work with the middle school runners.
The Tigers open their 2011 season with an appearance at the Dakota County Championships, Friday, Sept. 2, at Eagan.
