The CHIEF October 2019

By Carson Gregory

Cross Country

The beginning of the school year has come and gone and there have been many student organization opportunities for students to explore. One notable example is Key Club, a worldwide organization with 38 participating countries. Key Club is a student led organization geared towards bettering our local communities and doing nonprofit work. The faculty sponsor of the PTHS branch of the club is Mr. Jack Bristow. I recently got a chance to speak with Ali Barton, Illinois-Eastern Iowa District Lieutenant Governor, and Alec Kridner, Illinois-Eastern Iowa District Secretary. “The best part of Key Club is meeting new friends and making a difference,” Ali said. Her goals this year are to increase members and charter a new club in our district. Alec gives his advice for those considering joining: “Nothing is lost by serving others, service is a benefit to both parties involved.” His goals are to aspire to make service addicting and rewarding for all of those who partake in Key Club. There are many different clubs and opportunities throughout PTHS, but arguably one of the most fulfilling and rewarding ones is Key Club. Coach Mike Lucas is pushing the Tribe past limits the team didn’t even know they had. Long runs and fast workouts are increasing the stamina, strength, and speed of every athlete. The girls’ side is small, only having three runners. However, each runner, Natalie Cassity, Hailyn Dively, and Ashlyn Bernard, are improving with every practice and have hopes of advancing from regionals as individuals to compete at sectionals. Each runner has their own goals, but on the boys’ varsity side, a state reappearance, and improvement, is on everyone’s minds. Seniors Carson Gregory, Leighton Gerdes, Noah Parra, Tucker Riordan, and Kevin Sennot know this season is their last, and are leading the team through tough runs. The training is different and more difficult, but all eyes are undeniably set on the dewey grass of Detweiler Park, Peoria, in early November. Key Club By Ava Nollen School bells not only signal the start to the school year, but to the Cross Country season as well. The Indians won their first meet on August 28 by a total of one point, led by Ethan Schickel, Sam Fogarty, Leighton Gerdes, Carson Gregory, Tucker Riordan, Weiland Torkelson, and Paul Giordono. The season opener was a good sign, but the team knows improvements must be had in order to repeat their state appearance from last year.

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