This year, the cross country team isn’t running its usual home course. Ashton Cross Country Course at the University of Iowa is under construction this cross country season, so both the boys’ and girls’ teams have been going without running the course this season. In years past, the teams ran Ashton up to three times a season, so the change has been an adjustment for the City High Cross Country teams.

This Thursday, both teams will have their first and only alternative home meet of the season at West Branch High School in West Branch, Iowa. Coach Jayme Skay, with the help of the other cross country coaches mapped out and measured the 5k course at West Branch High School, where both teams held time trials earlier in the season. This was made possible due to having students from West Branch High School on both the men’s and women’s teams, so arrangements were made with this in consideration.

“It was disappointing at first but then we [the team] turned it into a positive thing by getting a chance to race at a new rough course at West Branch High School,” Skay said.

Even though Ashton is closed for the season, Skay is happy that there is still an opportunity to have a home meet and course, even if it is just one.

“We have a dedicated group that works hard in practice each day,” Skay remarked, looking forward to the meet this Thursday.

Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have had success this season. Last week both the girls’ and boys’ varsity and junior varsity teams won first place at the 2015 Eastern Iowa cross country meet at Noelridge course in Cedar Rapids, along with having first place finishers from City in all four races. The teams feel excited and prepared for this Thursday at West Branch and are prepared to run fast and race hard.