The William Byrd cross country team will be at Patrick Henry High in Roanoke today for a scrimmage as they prepare to open the 2022 season.
Today’s run at PH will be a two mile relay, beginning at 4:30 pm. The first official race will be next Wednesday, August 31, when the Terriers compete in the “Bengal Clash at the River” at the Smith River Sports Complex in Martinsville, hosted by Bassett High School. That will include a middle school race at 4:30 pm, a varsity girls race at 5 pm, a varsity boys race at 5:30 pm and a mixed junior varsity race to conclude the action at 6:15 pm.
Byrd coach Eric Royal had a great turnout for the season, and there’s some talent in the group. Olivia Hurd is coming off an all-state performance last fall and is looking for even better times this season. DeShawn Austin is the top boy.
“He came out late last year and was just getting the hang of cross country by the
end of the year,” said Royal. “I expect him to go to the next level this season.”
Royal has a strong group of girls and he’s looking for big things from them.
“Our goal is to place as a team at regions and take them to States,” he said. “The group of seniors this year has shown they have the talent. Now they need to apply it and bring along the rest of the team.”
For the boys, Eric is just looking for improvement.
“We need to get them to be more competitive day to day and go into the post season with the idea we belong, and are not just here to run.”