A new school year is here and with it a new season of cross country.


At Rocky Mountain High School there is a longstanding tradition of excellence for cross country and this year is no exception. There are seven new runners hoping to make their mark on RMHS cross country history along with the two remaining veterans.


Returning are Brandy Bullinger of Burlington, who took second place last year at the 2A girls state competition with a time of 21.34.9, and Landon Tolman of Burlington, who took 33rd in the 2A boys state competition with a time of 22.09.4. New runners this year include Alicia Wardell of Burlington and Rocky Mountain students Pilar Rivera, Caitlyn Sorenson, Ethan Strom, Jacob Askvig, Taylor Elton and Levi Elton. The team will be coached again by John Bernhisel.


Perhaps one of the biggest changes for RMHS cross country this year is the loss of all the Lovell runners, due to a new cross country program at LHS. Lovell’s new coach will be Caleb Sanders, who is a former RMHS cross country runner.


 “We will train together two days a week and travel to most meets together. I’m sad to lose the association with the Lovell kids but happy we will be working together still,” Bernhisel said.


Members of the cross country team have already appeared in the annual Sugar Beet Classic in Powell. Participants from the team in the women’s 5K run, female 19 and under division, included Sorenson (25:56) and Bullinger (21:03). Bullinger was also honored as Overall Winner in the women’s 5K run.


Participating in the men’s 5K run, male 19 and under division, was Tolman (22:15). Also, head coach Bernhisel participated in the men’s 5K run, male 40- 49 division, and took Overall Winner with a time of 20:27.


The Grizzlies are scheduled to compete in the Casper Invitational this Friday at 3 p.m.