Leaders help create a winning program. Senior Will Hanafan is coming back after a successful cross country campaign last year, with a seventeenth place finish in the State Championship. Also, junior Jack Slagle looks to break into the top ten in the state this year.

“My role has changed into more of a leadership role. I’m having to use my three years of previous varsity experiences to help the team win meets and run as well as we can,” said Hanafan.

CCCP, cross country Creighton Prep, lost four seniors last year, so new faces are being thrown into the thick of the varsity team. Sophomores Leo Burns and James Townley along with junior Connor Artz look to fill those spots.

“Once we get the fifth runner figured out, I believe that we could be top three in the state,” said Hanafan.

Individually, Slagle is going to lead the year with lofty goals and high expectations.

“I want to break into the top ten at State and hopefully win a team state title,” said Slagle.

CCCP kicks off the year at Pioneer Park in Lincoln on Saturday, September 3rd.