The leaves changing in the fall often signals the start of the cross-country running season for students and this weekend marks the end of that short season.
Five John Paul II athletes will be competing in provincials this weekend at Middle Lake. Those running for provincial medals included: Ryan Abrahamson, Justin Baptiste, Taylor Hetting, Matthew Hudec and Chahan Karnusiam.
Those five along with Zamen Kowalczyk, Katelyn Petersen, Jadyn Rea and Cassidy Stynsky competed at the district run in Unity last weekend.
Katelyn was the top John Paul II finisher taking first place in the bantam division while Jadyn was second, but because those two athletes along with Zamen are bantam age they are too young for provincials this year.
Cassidy placed third at districts adding another medal to her total on the year, but will not be at provincials this weekend, instead the multi-sport athlete will be on the soccer field with the John Paul II senior girls team.
Justin was fifth at districts in the senior boys' category while Matthew was sixth. Last year Matthew finished in 45th at the provincial meet and will look to improve on his time of 24:35.
Taylor ran in the junior girls' division last season at provincials taking 48th place and this season, after a top 10 finish at districts, she hopes to represent John Paul II at the senior girls' level.
The other senior runner on the team, Chahan, was eighth at districts.
Ryan placed eighth in districts at Unity and competes at the midget level.
The John Paul II cross country team also competed in meets in Biggar, Wilkie and Little Loon through the season with other members Shuan Doom, Haley Garden and Devon Sylvester also competing in those events.
It will be a tough task for the John Paul II athletes to better Mikaela York's fourth place finish at provincials last season, but they should be able to do themselves, their school the division and community proud.
