The boys varsity cross country team creating a two-year placing streak at the Suburban White Conference Meet hosted by Fort Osage High School on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and girls varsity cross country team placing second place. They now face their next upcoming challenge.

“We’re doing a bunch of speed workouts on the track because districts is coming up and we need a place in the top 30 individual runners to move on and go to sectionals,” said sophomore Gabriel Pingleton.

This Saturday, Oct. 26,, varsity cross country team runs at the district meet at Kearney High School to see if they can secure their spot in the top 30.

“We’ve really had a lot harder workouts since we’ve had some time away from actual meets,” said cross country assistant coach Sarah Lorenson. “They’ve gone up to the course a couple times and practice running on the district course so that way they’re comfortable with it and ready to go on Saturday.”

Despite the upcoming competition, the members remain hopeful.

“I hope we do well, but I can’t tell for sure because I don’t know how good the competition is going to be at districts, but I know our boys really good and the girls are good too,” said senior Angelina Mortelli.

Come support the varsity cross country teams on Saturday, Oct.26 at Jesse James Park, in Kearney, Mo., at 10 a.m. The cost of admission is only $5 to get in and support the Northmen.

“Freshman year we won conference for the first time and it just felt good because it was the first time Oak Park won something at conference in a long time,” said Pingleton.