High hopes for Panther Cross Country
By CHRISTIAN LEHMAN

Warm-up laps and drills.

Union County High School cross-country team is gearing up for what should be another phenomenal season of running as they hope to make their tenth straight appearance at the state championships. The Panther runners held their first practice this past Monday on what was a hot and humid afternoon. Led by coach Jackie Hughes, they took it fairly easy as she gauged their abilities and fitness after the summer break, sticking to mostly drills with one healthy run through the school complex.

The running Panthers have had a remarkable run over the last nine years as both the boys and girls teams have qualified for the state meet in every one of those years. About 26 kids showed up for this first mandatory team practice, as their first meet is only two weeks away down in Gilmer County. Although the team is in a little bit of a rebuilding process according to coach Hughes as the team "lost nine seniors " from last year "seven of which were top runners" as it stands there are only two seniors for the boys and one for the girls.

Also, the Panthers are in a new regional this year with Green, Oglethorpe and Morgan counties being added in with the rest of the mountain teams. But, the prospects look good for the season as there are nine meets before regionals come around in the beginning of November.