news-record.com

A preview of the cross country teams at Page:

Coach: Zack Osborne (10th season coaching cross country at Page, 37th season coaching overall).

Conference: Metro 4-A.

The coach's example: Osborne has been a runner for 45 years and still competes. He recently finished a 10K in 55 minutes and 43 seconds and, at age 60, completed a 6:32 road mile in a race in Winston-Salem.

BOYS

Runners to watch: Rodger Shull (17:26; candidate to run under 17 and qualify for the state meet). Osborne says Shull is injured and should return soon.

Expectations: Hopes of the team qualifying for the state meet were dealt a blow when one runner transferred to Science & Math and another chose to play soccer. "Now we just want to compete," Osborne says. 

2009 result: First place in Metro, sixth place in Midwest Regional.

Runners they'll miss: Jamie Linden (sub-18; "very consistent").

GIRLS

Runners to watch: Maggie Harahan (junior; 19:52; will aim to break 19:30), Austin Vass (19:31; 24th in state as a freshman, looking to be in top 18).

Expectations: "We have finished 15, 14, 14 the last three years at states -- with all back except one, a goal might be top 10, but that will be tough," Osborne says.

2009 result: First place in Metro, 14th place in state meet.

Runners they'll miss: Jessica Kincaid (No. 3 runner, first Page runner to reach three state meets).