With some key losses of top runners from the 2023 group, the Copper Hills cross country team has some big challenges ahead of it this season. 

Head coach Garth Rushforth is interested to see how his athletes respond. He is also urging everyone on the team to work toward improving their times. 

“Copper Hills cross country is in a rebuilding year, as we graduated five of our seven top girls and four of our top boys,” Rushforth said. “We are hoping to develop the talent we have coming back and get our young talent to improve over this season.”

Under Rushforth, the Grizzlies always have the same main goal: to qualify as many runners as possible for the state meet. That event will take place Oct. 30 at Sugar House Park. Until then, Copper Hills will compete in several meets and invitationals, giving the Grizzlies the chance to shave seconds off their times and get better individually and as a team. 

Another goal that Rushforth prioritizes is making sure everyone who joins the program gets better throughout the season. 

“We need to continue to work hard this season and improve so that we can make the state meet,” he said. 

With heavy losses from last season’s graduated athletes affecting the experience and talent on the team, Rushforth does have some standout runners. On the boys team, captain Corbin Riser leads by example and is great at encouraging the other athletes. Lucy Lundberg is the top runner on the girls team. She, along with Riser, have “been building morale and unity on the team and are helping [their teammates] improve.”

Lucy Lundberg, shown here running in a meet earlier this season, is one of the top athletes on the Copper Hills cross country team. (Photo courtesy Garth Rushforth)

Other contributors are senior Carter Stam, junior Matthew Lord, senior Evelyn Marler and senior Abigail Logan. They serve as captains alongside Riser and Lundberg. Junior Temana Munanui has also been impressive in the early going this season. 

While Copper Hills may lack in numbers and seasoned experience, its athletes are committed and have had good attitudes. Rushforth said the team members understand the challenges they face but are working hard to accomplish the goals they have set. 

“Our athletes have good leadership and know they need to work hard in order to meet the goals they have set for this season,” he said. “We are very young, and that can be good sometimes.”

The Grizzlies are young, with many athletes on the team coming from the sophomore and freshman classes. Rushforth has emphasized the need to develop these underclassmen faster than usual so they can be ready to run on the varsity level. 

“They must learn the strategies of running a good race and the ability to be mentally tough,” he said.

The early stages of the season have included some ups and downs. Though many athletes are progressing well, Rushforth said everyone needs to get faster. Still, he has liked what he has seen out of his top runners as well as some emerging young athletes. 

“I have been very impressed with how [Lundberg] has been running and in the development of junior Annabelle Leek,” he said. “I have also been impressed with the strong showing by [Marler] and [Logan]. There are several boys that have been showing hard work and improvement as they develop this season. They include senior Benjamin Salazar, senior Kade Danielson, sophomore Jonah Steele and sophomore Lucas Foulger.”

Win or lose, the Grizzlies enjoy the sport of cross country. Rushforth appreciates and admires the mindset the athletes have displayed. 

“I have enjoyed the positive attitude this group has shown so far and the enjoyment and fun they have as a team,” he said.