by Jamie Harris

The Berkeley Springs High School cross country programs will have a new/old head coach again this season as Ian Helmick takes over for Pedro Miguel who stepped down after one season. Helmick had previously served as head coach two years ago.

“I’m excited to be coaching the team again this year. Right now, we have six boys out. I’d like to pick up some other runners to help round out the team and add some JV runners to give them experience for next season. W e also have a full girls’ team this year. Last year we only had three girls. It’s nice to have a solid group of girls again this season. I am looking forward to seeing what all of our athletes will do,” stated Helmick.

The boys’ team graduated seniors Jackson Mundey, Brett Shoemaker and Briar Hale. The Indians will miss Mundey’ s talent and speed. He was always a front runner in the boys’ races and those points will be hard to replace. Shoemaker and Hale brought their determination, work ethic and attitude to the team to help encourage all of the runners.

Both the boys and girls’ team will have key returners this fall. Senior Audrey Helmick is starting her senior year strong. Helmick is a three-time state qualifier and

Berkeley Springs High School Cross Country Team, front row, left to right: Kaleigh Coulter, Audrey Helmick, Isabelle Bingaman, Katie Risinger, Eva Sealey. Back row: Jake Risinger, Haven Ailor, Cheyenne Lewis, Liam Stewart and LJ Sealey. Not pictured: Charity Brown, Alivia Arnold, Josh Walls and Ethan Rawlings.

has placed in the top 12 all three years. Helmick is looking for her fourth trip back to the states and eyeing a top eight finish.

LJ Sealey is returning and will help in a leadership role this season. Sealey has shown a lot of growth since last sea- son.

Key newcomers to the high school program this year are freshmen Isabelle Bingaman, Katie Risinger and Haven Ailor. Bingaman and Risinger are going to add the depth to the girls’ team we were missing last year. Bingaman was a three-year standout runner at Warm Springs Middle School for the last three years. Haven showed talent as a middle school runner. He is going to help a lot with the boys’ team. They all had great middle school cross country seasons, and I’m hoping to see that again this year, Helmick stated.

Also returning for the Lady Indians are senior Alivia Arnold and sophomore Eva Sealey along with other new- comer’s freshman Kayleigh Coulter, sophomore Charity Brown and senior Cheyenne Lewis.

For the boys, Jake Risinger, sophomore, is returning along with two new sophomores Josh Walls and Liam Stewart along with freshman Ethan Rawlings.

“I’m hoping we surprise the competition this year. We have many of our runners coming back from last season, recruits from the track program and new freshman runners. Some of our runners have attended running camps over the summer and many have continued to run in the off season,” Helmick stated.