LAST YEAR: The R-P boys, coming off a GMAA county championship in 2023, knew they were in for a rebuilding year in 2024, with only five runners coming out for the team. The Rockets did indeed struggle a bit, finishing in fifth place in the O-K Green conference, sixth at the county meet, and 12th at regionals.
TOP RETURNERS: Senior Dylan Sturr has steadily improved and contributed through all three years of his high school career, and he’s set to become the lead runner for the Rockets this fall. With Sturr’s great attitude and focus on growth, head coach Darin Grant is hoping he will have a big impact on a team with a lot of new runners. Sophomore Jonathan Visscher broke into varsity last year and will automatically inherit a leadership role, along with Sturr.
A VERY PROMISING NEWCOMER: On a team comprised mostly of newcomers, sophomore Kyron Novak has grabbed Coach Grant’s attention, due to his perfect attendance and dedication during summer workouts. Novak has shown real potential and is on his way to becoming a “smart and strategic runner,” according to Grant.
OTHER NEWCOMERS: Perhaps the best news for the Rockets is that the future suddenly looks a lot brighter, with a big group of freshmen joining the team this fall. Most of them lack experience in the sport, but they will have plenty of opportunities to learn and grow on the job, and could form the nucleus of a very good team in coming years. The freshmen on the team are Bo Blair, Bryce Blair, Wyatt Harrington, Joey Jerome, Zayden Kingman, Landon Learn, Gabriel Luna, Kasyn Novak and Jonathon Steenhagen. With nine freshmen, two sophomores and one senior, the Rockets will start the season with more than twice as many runners as they started with last season.
FIRST MEET: The Rockets will open the season on Tuesday at the Fruitport Calvary Christian Invitational.
COACH QUOTE: “I am excited about this team. Based on the commitment to practice and the friendships they naturally have, it should be a fun season. We will see how the commitment and friendship energy translates when it’s time to race.” – Darin Grant