For just about every student at Travelers Rest High School, when June 2^nd, 2016 came around, most of the student body was ready for summer. However, this can’t be said for the boys and girls Devildog cross country teams. This summer was filled with rise and grind mornings, long runs throughout Greenville, and some of the most intense ultimate Frisbee games of all time. This year’s teams include Coach King’s largest group of seniors he has ever seen. And after last year’s season, which saw incredible success for both teams as they made the state finals yet again, Coach King has high expectations for the upcoming season. The teams return numerous impact runners from last year, while adding a handful of new runners that will surely make an impact of their own.

In reflecting upon last year’s success, the girls finished 12^th in the state and has since then lost one senior, Brittney Williams, and one middle schooler, Anna Dunn. But in the upcoming season the girls are led by senior captains Bekah Woodard and Claudia Nix. Meanwhile, the boys shocked everyone by finishing 4^th in the state, and are returning this year with all top seven runners but one middle schooler, Riley Augustine. They’ll be going into this season ranked 6^th in the state and are hungry to hit the course in their hunt for a region title, county title, and more. Senior runner Will Barnett is sure to show out this season, as he sets out to defend his upper state title. The boys are led by Barnett and seasoned veteran Logan Childs as their captains.

Just looking at this past week, the Devildogs came in strong already, claiming 2^nd place overall at the Region 2-AAAA preseason race. Will Barnett finished first for the boys, and Taylor Reynolds finished first for the girls. Both teams competed in the 33^rd annual Eye Opener race in Spartanburg this past weekend. Logan Childs finished first for the boys team, claiming 14^th out of 22 high schools in the International Division. To the same accomplishment within the Championship division, Taylor Reynolds finished first for the girls team, coming in 14^th out of 35 high schools. Both teams will hit the course again this Wednesday at Eastside High School.