Seniors for the Seymour boys cross country team are, from left, Sam Baker and Lucas Jablonski. Both will serve as leaders for the team this season.
Dakota Locker | The Tribune
The 2023 Seymour Owls boys cross country team is led by longtime head coach Randy Fife.
Fife is entering his 21st season as the leader of the team. The coach is working with 17 young men who have come out in 2023 for cross country.
The seniors are Lucas Jablonski and Sam Baker.
The juniors on the squad include Kylan Ellerbe, Jeremiah Myers, Wes Proffer, William Proffer, Tyler Tormoehlen and Harrison Wetzel.
The sophomore group consists of Miguel Anderson, Gavin Baugh, Brody Bowles, Micah Jablonski and Landon Rivera.
The incoming freshmen include Leo Holle, Caleb Jablonski, Nikita Cox and Titus Parker.
Fife spoke about both of his seniors in Jablonski and Baker.
“We’re a young team, and we have one senior who is returning from last year, Lucas Jablonski,” he said. “He has worked really hard in the offseason and the early stages of this season to become a leader. He has got some growing to do, but I think he will grow into that role for us.”
Fife said Baker has never competed in cross country before.
“Sam and Lucas are stepping up for us and trying to lead,” Fife said. “They have both been working hard for us, and I look forward to seeing them grow as leaders this season.”
The Owls coach was asked about some goals for his young team in the 2023 season.
“For goals, they are a little different this year. We graduated quite a few kids from last season,” he said. “Our goals this year are to continue to improve from where we start until we finish. We also want to have fun, and we also want to continue to work hard during the season. Those three things are some of our biggest goals this year. If we can continue to do all three of those, it should be a good season for Seymour cross country.”
He also spoke about some keys for the boys to have a successful season.
“I think it’s just about consistency — consistency in our work and kids showing up every day and continuing to work hard,” Fife said. “If they do that, they will get better, and then we’ll continue to work to meet our goals.”
The team gears up for its opening meet of the season next Thursday at Freeman Field Recreational Complex. It’s the only home meet for the Owls during the upcoming season.