Barton County Commissioners took time Monday for what Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz called the most enjoyable duty they have.
They recognized a group of young people who achieved while representing Barton County.
The commissioners recognized the members of the Ellinwood High School Boys Cross Country Team.
The team won the 2011 2A state championship.
According to Coach Lyles Lashley, the work that led up to that accomplishment goes back a long way.
They didn’t begin working in August, or when school began. “It started way back in June,” the coach said, adding the runners had kept working hard throughout the year. “They worked hard all through the summer” to get ready, Lashley commented.
He said this team was aware that it was representing more than just the runners. “They made a commitment to themselves and their teammates and to their school.”
And they went on to represent their home community and the entire county, he observed.
It was that commitment that made the difference. “That’s why they were able to bring a championship to Barton County.”
The cross country team includes seniors Kale Clawson, Brandon Coomes and Shawn Troyer; juniors Connor Birzer, Kyle Blakeslee and Derek Ward; sophomores Pedro Montoya and Kyle Oglesbee; and freshman Morgan Feemster. In addition toe Lashley, Assistant Coach Lisa Phillips and Athletic Director Kip Wilson were on hand for the team recognition, Monday.
The proclamation approved by the commission officially named Monday as Ellinwood High School Boys Cross Country Team Champions Day.