LAST YEAR: The Rockets had some ups and downs as a team last season, finishing in fifth place in the O-K Green conference, third at the GMAA county meet and eighth at regionals. Their top two runners – Jersi Bilek and Gabrielle Chevez – both qualified for the state finals as individuals.
BIG YEAR FOR BILEK: This is the season that Bilek, now a senior, has been waiting for. The R-P standout qualified for the state finals for the past two seasons and has earned All-Conference honors for three straight seasons. Last year she finished third at the GMAA county meet, then took 21st place out of 87 runners at regionals to qualify for state. Bilek has been working very hard to achieve even bigger things this season and has looked “fierce” in summer workouts, according to her coach.
LOTS OF SENIORS: The biggest strength for the Rockets this season will be experience, with eight runners returning, including five seniors. Besides Bilek, the team is welcoming back seniors Charli Belinger (third year varsity), Maya VandenBosch (who has overcome a knee injury and looks strong), Maddie Horenziak and Hope Latsch. All have been pushing themselves to beat their best times, and their combined experience should help R-P to field at least a very respectable team this season.
EVEN MORE EXPERIENCE: Juniors Kaitlyn Durow and Darcy Keefe are also strong, experienced runners who will add even more depth and play key roles for the Rockets. Sophomore Olivia Yonkman is also back and ready to improve her times.
ONE NEWCOMER: Freshman Natalie Kozal is the only new runner on the team, and she will have lots of older teammates to learn from as she gets used to the varsity pace.
SEASON OPENER: The Rockets will open the season on Tuesday at the Fruitport Calvary Christian Invitational.