The Rossford varsity cross country team heads into the new season with a simple goal.

“We want everyone to progress and get better, and we want everyone to have fun competing,” third-year Head Coach McKenzie Downour said. Last year, the Bulldog boys team finished fifth in the Northern Buckeye Conference, and the girls finished eighth. One runner, Ian Clark, earned Honorable Mention in the league. He returns for what could be a promising senior season, especially after being a state track qualifier in the 800m. Joining Clark as a key returner is fellow senior Manny Schutte, an Honorable Mention runner two years ago.

Younger brother, Trevor Schutte, a junior, looks poised for a possible breakout season as well. “We would like to get someone to regionals,” said Downour, who acknowledged that Clark may be their best bet to accomplish this task.

Currently, the girls team has just four members. They have one senior Kayden Lewis and two juniors returning in Isabelle Underwood and Celeste Hughes. Sophomore Alanna Leonard will run for the first time in high school after spending last year playing volleyball.

The team is still actively looking for additional runners to complete the lineup. Despite the small girls team, the numbers are still good with 14 total runners between the two teams.

Downour wants to emphasize improvement and promote a fun atmosphere for the team.

To be successful in the pursuit of their goals, she believes the runners will need to support each other.

“If the communication and the camaraderie stay the same, we should be in good shape,” she said.

The Bulldogs run their first meet on Saturday, August 27, traveling to Fremont to compete in the Norm Bray Invitational.