The start of Superior's cross country season looks a little different this year.
Superior cross country head coach Lee Sims, front right, and assistant coach Lindsey Smith talk to Spartan runners at the first practice of the season Monday morning, August 17. The team wore masks and stayed spread out on the bleachers as the coaches spoke. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
Cross country looked a little different this year as it kicked off Monday, Aug. 17, at NBC Spartan Sports Complex.
Masked runners stayed spread apart while sitting in the bleachers listening to their coaches go over expectations for the coming season.
“I think the athletes are respecting the social distancing guidelines and the reasons for doing them. They all want to be involved and compete, and this is just what we have to do to keep going for as long as possible," said head coach Lee Sims in an email. "This doesn't mean there isn't a period of adjustment of behaviors with reminders when needed, but we are working on it. Bottom line though is that they know what's at stake, and they are grateful for the chance to even start practice and hopefully compete."
Spartan runners, from left, senior Halle Barker, sophomore Savannah Leopold and sophomore Kaylee Eisel stay spread out as they run along North 28th Street in Superior on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Freshman Bethany Roe is in the background. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
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Superior cross country head coach Lee Sims, front left, and assistant coach Lindsey Smith wear masks as they talk to Spartan runners at the first practice of the season Monday, Aug. 17. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
Members of the Superior boys’ cross country team run along 28th Street in Superior Tuesday, Aug. 18. Practice started for the Spartans on Monday. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
Superior cross country head coach Lee Sims wears a mask as he talks to his Spartan runners at the first practice of the season Monday, Aug. 17. (Jed Carlson / jcarlson@superiortelegram.com)
Jed Carlson joined the Superior Telegram in February 2001 as a photographer. He grew up in Willmar, Minnesota. He graduated from Ridgewater Community College in Willmar, then from Minnesota State Moorhead with a major in mass communications with an emphasis in photojournalism.
