We’re just one week away from official practice for all Fall high school sports teams in Iowa. Greene County High School girls and boys cross-country coach Jeff Lamoureux starts his second season leading the Rams in cross-country. One distinct advantage the coach feels he has this year over his first season is knowing he’s the coach. “I took the job last year about one week before the season began. This year, we’ve been able to better establish our off-season training program, which I feel will better prepare us for the start of the season.”

The coach said Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning runs have been held throughout the summer. “We’ve established a 150 Mile Club, meaning you have to put in 150 summer miles running to gain entry into that club. It takes a lot of discipline to do that. Over 10 weeks it means averaging 15 miles per week. We have one runner for sure that will have more than 150 miles and we could see another hit that mark. Even those that don’t reach 150 miles, they have a solid base under them for when the season begins.”

Official cross-country practice starts Aug. 6 with the first meet just 17 days later. The Rams go to the Iowa State University cross-country course on Thursday, Aug. 23 for the Gilbert Invitational.