With the cross-country season already geared up, the Bulldogs are excited about the potential of a strong season.

King’s Fork High School has added new potential to their roster to bolster their already strong team.

Last season King’s Fork sent one runner, Shamond Smith, to the state meet for the first time in school history, and this year they are hoping to send more runners.

“We have bigger numbers this season so that should be helpful,” Bulldogs coach Steve Sheppard said. “We have new young bodies that are pushing our top runners. I am excited about what this season could potentially mean for us.”

Smith has continued to exceed expectations this season. In the first Southeastern District meet of the season last week Smith took first place in the boys’ meet. This was the first time in school history that a runner placed first and won a meet. Smith took roughly ten seconds off of his personal record time.

Tyler Gray also returns along with Jack Van Straten to form a solid trio for the boys’ team.

“Those guys are going to do some good things for us this season,” Sheppard said. “Shamond made history being the first King’s Fork runner to win an SED meet. He probably won by about 150 meters.”

Madeline Rawlings returns as one of the top runners on the girls’ side. In recent years the girls’ team hasn’t been as strong as the boys’, but things could change this season as Sheppard continues to sort out his top runners.

Overall, Sheppard is feeling good about another solid season with the team as a whole. They have a goal to make get three or four total runners qualified for the state meet.

“I am encouraged,” he said. “We have some good talent on this team on both sides. We are in a very good region, and we have athletes who are willing to push each other.”