With just four runners departed from last year’s team, veteran crews return for Belgrade’s cross country program this fall. Thus, excitement is high for the Panthers.

Head coach Matt Hommel said there are about 30 athletes participating in fall camp, including Wilson Schmidt. The senior is last year’s state Class AA individual champion.

“On paper it looks like we’re going to be around 30 or so,” Hommel said. “Basically, a majority of our boys team is coming back. We only lost Garrett (Walker) with graduating.”

Walker was on the state team a year ago and helped Belgrade place eighth. Ethan Bellcock, Noel Pierson and Marek Frick return along with Schmidt.

All five of the team’s runners placed in the top 70 with Bellcock crossing the finish line second for the Panthers to take 37th.

With

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