Hopes are high for the Bear River Cross-Country team for the 2019 season.

Bruins such as Junior Sean Huska said that the team has worked long and hard to prepare for the season.

“It’s all about summer practices, you gotta do the diet,” Huska said. “You can’t do what I do and live off soda and stuff.”

Senior Grace McDaniel feels that their hard work is going to pay off, expressing hopes that their team will make it to the state competition this year.

“There’s a possibility that we could get to state for the first time in very, very many years,” said McDaniel. “Most of our team has been running pretty much five days a week since the beginning of June which takes a lot of commitment and getting up early throughout the summer is something not a lot of kids like to do.”

Senior Grace Billingsley said that she shared McDaniel’s ambition, feeling especially confident for the girls team.

“The girls team I think will be really good because we have a really solid top five runners this year and it’s a lot stronger than it’s been in past years.” Billingsley said, “I think we could actually get the whole team to sections.”

Senior Connor Ronka agreed, and felt that the boys team had potential as well.

“I think the girls have a good chance,” he said. “[But] If we decide to focus, then I think the boys will do pretty well.”

The players said that they were equally optimistic for their own personal goals this year.

“Well, my goal is to get to State, so we’ll see if that happens,” Billingsley said. “Last year I was very close to getting there, but I would like to at least make Sections.”

Fellow runner and Senior Chris Elias said that he felt the same confidence.

“Right now I’m struggling for one of the top two runners, so I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.

The team said that they have enjoyed having Coach Skylar Mousely as their coach for the last two years.

“Coach Skylar? Oh, he’s awesome, dude,” said Elias. “He tries to make practice as physically challenging as possible but also as entertaining and fun.”

Huska added on to Elias’ admiration, commending Mousely on his style of coaching.

“He’s doing a good job figuring out how everybody works personally and pushing them to their limit,” he said.

McDaniel also said she had enjoyed having Coach Skylar as her coach the last year.

“I really like the new coach,” McDaniel said. “We’re used to him and he’s been fun the last year. We’re looking forward to having him again. And he brings his dog sometimes.”

Junior Elaina Wargala felt the same as her teammates and piled on the compliments.

“I love him as a coach,” she said. “I think that he’s super down to earth and is always pushing everybody on the team to do their best and also have fun with it, along with pushing yourself.”

Elias welcomed new runners and urged Bruins to join up.

“If you want to come out and join you should,” he said, “Bring some of your running friends, whatever. Get people.”