The 2024-25 school year starts in just a few weeks which means that the Munising Mustang cross country program is ready to start another season. The varsity teams are coming off a successful 2023 campaign which saw the girls team place second and the boys team third at the UP Finals. This year’s girls squad finds itself returning all but two starters, and the boys only lost one to graduation. Fortunately, each team has some former runners coming back to replace them. This will bolster both teams chances to improve their finishes at the UP Finals.

Leading the way for the girls team this year will be Kate Mattson, Dayne Behning, Olivia Cotey, Avery Seymour, Elizabeth Wing, Kaylen Kienitz, and Addie Bowerman. On the boys side, Danny Goss, Trevor Nolan, Dylan Adkinson, Blake Lakosky, Nolan Dolaskie, Nathan Petersen, Zach Lindquist, and Orin Shalom will complete their squad.

Head coach Mark Kinnunen is encouraged about the upcoming season. “I’m excited to pick up where we left off last season. Last year was a rebuilding year, and with those returning athletes as well as the addition of some former runners, we will have very strong teams. This will put us in a great position to be able to compete for UP titles for both teams”.

The Mustangs will host four home events this fall. “We are fortunate to be able to have four home meets this season, especially the UP Finals. I hope to see the community turn out with big crowds to support our teams at our races”, Kinnunen said.

The first meet of the season will be the Vartti Invitational hosted by Munising High School at the Valley Spur course on August 20th. The full meet schedule for the season can be found by visiting munisingathletics.com. The coaches and players hope to see community members supporting the athletes at both home and away meets.