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Young Kernels Aim to Make Mark in 2026 XC
24 Aug
Summary
- Mitchell High XC faces rebuilding year with few upperclassmen.
- Freshman Micah Bennett is poised to lead the boys' team.
- Senior runner Londyn Schroeder is recovering from an ACL injury.
The Mitchell High School cross country team is preparing for the upcoming 2026 season with a young roster and a focus on rebuilding. The team experienced significant graduation losses, with eight varsity runners departing, leaving them with limited upperclassmen.
On the boys' side, freshman Micah Bennett is set to be the lead runner, showing strong potential based on practice times and a previous state meet appearance. Several other sophomores and underclassmen are expected to contribute to the team's performance.
The girls' team will be led by returning seniors Londyn Schroeder and Averi Gerfen. Schroeder, a top performer last season, is recovering from an ACL injury sustained in basketball and is expected back midway through the season. Gerfen is anticipated to be a solid top runner and a team leader during Schroeder's absence.
Coach Katie Buschbach views this as a multi-year rebuilding effort but is pleased with the team's practice efforts and dedication, noting many runners have been training since July. The Kernels' first competition is the Mitchell Invite on Thursday, August 27.
