by Jamie Harris
The 2021 Berkeley Springs High School cross country will be under the guidance of a new head coach. Ian Helmick, a long-time teacher for Warm Springs Middle and Berkeley Springs High School, takes over the reins after spending last season as an assistant. Helmick previously coached at Paw Paw for 13 years. Joining Helmick on the coaching staff is BSHS teacher Pedro Miguel.
On the girl’s side the Lady Indians return sophomore standout Audrey Helmick. As a freshman Helmick was the 2020 PVC runner-up, placed sixth at the Class AA Region I Championships and sixth at the Class AA WV State Cross Country Championships.
Also returning for the Lady Indians are sophomore Alivia Arnold and junior Becca Moran along with newcomers freshman Delilah Rhoten and sophomores Jillian Fortney and Julia Bryner.
The boy’s return a pair of juniors in Jackson Mundey (16 at the PVC’s and 26 at the Class AA Region I Championships), Aiden Carpenter (22 at the PVC’s and 36 at the Class AA Region I Championships) and Brett Shoemaker, who saw lots of time improvement last season.
Joining them are newcomers freshman Ethan Rutherford and juniors Briar Hale and Matthew Leasure.
“The runners are working hard putting in miles, doing speed work and training on hills. It is exciting to see them getting stronger and improve. We are looking forward to the season,” stated Coach Helmick.
The cross country program will have its first team meet on September 4 at the Interstate Classic at Clear Spring High School.
