Whitehall’s cross country team has an optimistic outlook for the upcoming District 11 championships.

“We are hoping that we can move up in the standings from previous years,” said head coach Eugene Konno. “We hope our boys and girls sides can perform well in the postseason.”

Konno noted that the boys’ and girls’ teams both have had banner seasons. The boys finished 10-6-1, and the girls’ posted an overall 10-7 mark.

“Those records are the best in over four years,” beamed Konno, who is in his first year in charge of the program. “Our teams have made great improvements in learning to race.

“We had a strong season on both sides.”

Konno is confident seniors Marli Jacobus and Isabelle Daigle can make their mark down the road. Jacobus and Daigle primary has been their lead runners and top finishers all season.

“They both have been running well,” added Konno. “We believe that Marli Jacobus and Isabelle Daigle have a chance to qualify for states.”

On the boys’ side, senior Sebastian Zaiter and the promising sophomore class of A.J. Marakovits, Moses Mensher, and Derek Berg are expected to make some noise in the upcoming weeks.

Konno and assistant coach Brandon Hampton both have been pleased with the team’s overall progress.

“Many runners work together and finish in groups, which has made us more competitive,” said Konno. “Both coach Hampton and I are pleased with the steady progress made during our tenure and hope to continue the trend in the future.”