Knights look to build on past success

Led by a new coach and some veteran runners, the Aberdeen Christian cross-country program hopes last year’s success was a preview to this year’s production.

The Knights are coming off a solid 2013 campaign where, behind the leadership of Isaac Ayers and Seth Lundeen, the squad placed seventh at the state cross-country meet. David Rohrbach, an Aberdeen Christian graduate, is entering his first season as head coach of the cross-country program and is excited to see what lies ahead.

“We have about 13 (runners) out this year, including one middle-schooler and one girl (Kiana Lundeen)”, said Rohrbach. “We’ll be pretty good, but lost a couple of good runners in Isaac and Seth.”

The top returning runners for the Knights include Tucker Iwerks, Tanner Droog and Ben Williams. Runners who will see time this season are Ezra Aderhold, who ran with the junior varsity last season, and Dan Grebner. Rohrbach said the three returning runners will be asked to provide leadership for a young squad.

“They will have to be the leaders for us, take charge and help the other guys in practice,” said Rohrbach.

The team will need to be consistent each and every meet to find success this season, the coach said.

“We will definitely have to be consistent,” Rohrbach said. “We will be young, so hopefully the younger guys can step up, too.”

Rohrbach said the Knights are an eager group and willing to put in the work needed to be the best they can by the season’s end.

“They are all willing to work hard and have good attitudes,” he said. “We are young, so could improve throughout the year and peak toward regionals.”

Rohrbach believes perennial force Ipswich will again field one of the more solid teams in the area.

“Ipswich has a pretty solid team, and will be tough,” he said. 

The Knights will see their first action Aug. 30 at the Roe Granger meet, which starts at 9:30 a.m. at Moccasin Creek Soccer Complex. Rohrbach hopes the team can just relax and have fun in its first meet to start the season.

“I will just tell them to run loose,” he said. “When you run tight, or are tight in any sport, it hinders you.” 

No matter how the season transpires for the Knights, Rohrbach is as eager as his team to watch the season as it unfolds.

“It’s exciting and new for me,” he said. “It will be fun to learn the sport and watch the kids and learn.”

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SCHEDULE

August — 30, Roe Granger Meet, 9:30 a.m.

September — 4, at Redfield-Doland Invitational, 4 p.m.; 11, at De Smet Invitational, 4 p.m.; 13, at Ipswich Invitational, 9:30 a.m.; 18, at Roncalli Invitational, 3:30 p.m.; 24, at Faulkton Invitational, 1 p.m.; 29, at Groton Invitational, 4 p.m.

October — 8, Lake Region Conference Meet at Faulkton, 1 p.m.; 15, Region 1B Meet at De Smet; 25, State Meet at Huron.