BY GWEN ALBERS/MANAGING EDITOR
gwen.alberse@tidewaternews.com

FRANKLIN—Franklin High School will see the return of a cross country team after a two-year hiatus.

At this point, an eighth-grade girl seems to be the top runner among boys and girls.

Summer Winston recently ran a four-mile event, and finished the final mile in 6:45, said Coach Chris Gorgei.

“She’s a speed demon,” Gorgei said. “I expect great things within the next couple of years. She’s faster than even the male runners.”

Like about half of the members on the Bronco’s cross country team, any points that Winston might score would not help the team because runners have to be in at least ninth-grade to place.

“I have a huge eighth-grade class,” said Gorgei, a world history teacher and volleyball coach for FHS. “Twelve out of 25 are eighth-graders.”

Leading the boys will be senior Zach Morris.

“He’s got one of the best attitudes on the team,” Gorgei said. “He’s just very motivated and he inspires a lot of the younger runners.”

He also expects a lot from juniors Kyle Smith and Justin Hanford, and freshman Ryan Godwin.

For the girls, Gorgei expects good things from sophomore Madison Busby.

“She is just one of my female athletes who plays adult soccer at the Y,” Gorgei said. “She is a cheerleader and plays volleyball and runs cross country. She gives it everything she’s got in every one of those sports.”

Freshmen Josie Rankin and Jayla Cross also are showing signs of potential.

“They are great athletes,” Gorgei said. “Both are varsity players on the volleyball team.”

Athletic Director Dave Lease is happy to see the return of cross country.

“I just think it’s another sport we can offer our kids and we have no real costs,” Lease said.

The first meet will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Greensville. Franklin’s only home meet will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, behind the high school.

The Broncos also will run at Southampton High School at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, and Monday, Oct. 8.