N-O Hopes Largest Squad Ever Means More Success In 2016

The Neligh-Oakdale Warriors cross country squad hopes that added numbers means added success in 2016.

Under the direction of coach Rick Eickholt, Neligh-Oakdale has seen its cross country team grow every year, including the 2016 squad, which has the most members of any team in school history. 

The team must replace their lone state qualifier for the boy's state meet from last year, but they are experienced and have spent much of the summer preparing for the season. As a team, the Warriors logged nearly 1,700 miles while training this past summer.

Leading the way for the Warriors this season on the girls side will be Kasi Grosserode and Jayda Chance. Both runners have experience, as they have each qualified for the state meet throughout their careers. On the boy's side, Eickholt hopes to see added leadership from all-conference runner Cole Belitz.

Eickholt's squad will look to show that their hard work has paid off for the first time as they compete in Niobrara on September 1.

Team Profile:
NELIGH-OAKDALE WARRIORS
Class: D
Coach: Rick Eickholt
2015 Results: Three all conference runners - Cole Belitz, Jayda Chance and Kasi Grosserode

Returning letter winners: Cameron Wilkinson, Cole Belitz, Jayda Chance, Kasi Grosserode, Alexis Jensen, Brittany McConnell, Rachel Higgins, Kayla Wright

2016 Outlook: "Our goals for the girl's team are to run to the best of our ability each meet and hopefully at the district meet we end up with state qualifiers. I am excited that we are able to field a full boy's team again. We graduated half our team from last year. We are ready to take a step in the right direction in how they will compete." - coach Rick Eickholt. The Warriors have strong leadership in coach Eickholt and in their returning letter winners. The amount of time they have put in training in the offseason will pay off greatly. Look for them to qualify multiple runners for state, and possibly send a team or two down.