GREENVILLE – The Green Wave Cross Country program honored seven seniors on Senior Night at Memorial Hill in the Greenville City Park.
Coach Stephanie Lind took time to talk about the 2024 Greenville cross country team and her seniors, Isabella Smith, Jenica Feitshans, Chris Shaltry, Megan Lind, Mason Pierie, Trey Rammel, and Nick Hill-Burk.
“A wise man tells the athletes every year at camp to ‘leave things better than you found them,’ and that is exactly what this group of seniors is doing for this team,” Coach Lind said. “They have been instrumental in our team culture and also instrumental to the success we have seen over the past several years.”
“Many have been with the program 5-6 years, some even longer than that with running healthy kids running or riptide run club in elementary. A few left us for a season and came back, and we even added a brand new senior this year.”
“They are a hardworking group, and whether the girls know it or not, their work ethic was vital to the boy’s team making it to regionals the past two years. While both teams are now D1 this year and are embracing it.”
“The girls team finished third in the MVL last year and could make a strong showing to improve on that. The guys were fifth at MVL, and I have no doubt these seniors are going to push to make our presence known as a team. Avery Baumann returned to us last year and was a driving force for the work ethic of our girls. She was rehabbing from an ACL tear in basketball and really pushed herself to give her best, which motivated some of the younger girls to do the same. She was a consistent top seven varsity runner for us last season as well as a scholar-athlete, and I expect she will be a major contributor again this season.”
“Jenica Feitshans has always been a leader by example, doing everything asked and more. She is probably the best example of how far you can come if you faithfully put the work in. Jenica was honorable mention last year at MVL, and I know she wants to again earn MVL honors. She is also a scholar-athlete and will be a major player for us.”
“Megan Lind has always been a key player in our team, earning honorable mention her sophomore season and second team MVL her junior year. Also a scholar-athlete, Megan is also one who puts the work in practice, leading peers to give their best effort as well, and is a great communicator of team needs. Megan has also been rehabbing from a torn ACL from this past basketball season but is looking healthy and strong and will be instrumental to our girls team success.”
“Isabella Smith is new to the team this year but has been a great addition so far. We are excited she would want to join our team for her fall senior season.”
“Lauren Schmitmeyer, also a scholar-athlete, took a season off and returned to us. She was a top runner for us last year and will be there again this season. Lauren is a quiet force, always showing up with a good attitude and work ethic. She is my steady, consistent, smiling, reliable, hardworking lady wave.”
“On the guy’s side, Trey Rammels has always been the front-runner for us. He is going to be pushed this season as some of the young guys have worked hard to close that gap to get closer to him. This is going to be key to their success, and Trey fosters that sense of healthy competition among the squad while also loving to have fun as they work hard.
“Trey is another athlete who has consistently earned MVL honors for us and is looking for his third run at Regionals, having been part of the qualifying team for the past two years,” Coach Lind added.
“Mason Pierri was an athlete we got from football many years ago after he had a health issue. Mason is so talented in many areas of his life, is reliable, another great communicator, a scholar-athlete, and has an amazing work ethic. I am actually so excited for him that he gets to return to football this senior season as their kicker and will also be integral to the XC guy’s regional run at the D1 level.”
“Chris Shaltry is a guy I feel like has been with me forever, back from his elementary track camp days. Chris works hard and is a joy to have on the team. Not only is he going to be a key senior for the guys in motivating the younger group, but he is also someone I look to for pacing the girls team.”
“Nick Hill-Burk is finishing out his senior season strong, and I expect he will have a great year achieving PRs. He figured out last year what he can do if he puts in the work, and I’m excited to see what he accomplishes as he finishes his XC career. Nick is another athlete that is really helpful for pacing and pushing the girls squad, and never fails to bring the laughter and fun to our team atmosphere.”
