While the Knoxville Boys Cross Country Squad lost a few runners to graduation last fall, one thing still stays consistent. Isaac Rankin is back for his senior season and a fourth straight trip to the State Meet. He earned all state last fall and is looking for another designation and is trying to take some of his teammates to Fort Dodge this fall as well. Coach Michael Splavec tells KNIA/KRLS Sports he wants that consistency of 7-10 runners that will rise to the occasion in preseason.

Splavec: “Having that consistency for everyone across the board is great. No matter what course it is, whether it’s a flat course, hilly course, a one loop or two loop, it just makes it better to know what each kid is going to do when they go out on the line.”

Besides Rankin, Bradley Hembrook, who is a junior, has been training a lot this summer. Splavec also sees Connor Schultz as the top three. He adds the rest of the varsity spots will be found out through more training and the first couple of meets of the season. The season opener is August 25th at Pine Knolls Country Club as Knoxville hosts an Early Bird Invitational with PCM, Pekin and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.