The South Loup cross country team has its first meet of the 2025 season today, Aug. 28; however, most of the student athletes have been conditioning all summer.

Nicole Recoy is beginning her seventh year as head coach of the Bobcats cross country team. Joining her as assistant coach for the second year is Kim Sallach.

The Bobcat boys’ team is coming off of a very successful 2024 season that saw them qualify for the state meet as a team. Two members of last year’s girls' team were also state qualifiers.

“Our boys' team will be strong again this year,” said Coach Recoy. “Josiah Coleman, Jaden Baker, Eli Rogers, and Walter Bierman all qualified for the state meet, and their goal is to qualify again as a team.”

With all of those qualifiers returning for the boys, the outlook for the Bobcats team is very bright for 2025.

On the girls’ side, Ella Cool and Ivy Tullis both finished outstanding careers last year - and Coach Recoy will be looking to her underclassmen to fill that void.

“We have two newcomers to the sport - Chenney Dishman and Kaygan Witthuhn. They are both seniors and are competing in cross country for the first time,” said Recoy. “We also have a freshman, Lyla Bierman, who will be joining us this year. I expect to see a lot of improvement and success from these three girls.”

Coach Recoy shared that she is excited and optimistic for both her boys’ and girls’ teams heading into the season.

“All four boys have run at state, and they have high expectations for themselves this year. The main weakness we will face would have to be our lack of experience on the girls' side.”

The team is in Burwell today to kick off the season. They will be back on the course on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Cozad.