PCM has high goals

MONROE — No matter how his team does this year, PCM cross country coach Rod Musgrove will have a tough time once the season is done. “I’m not looking forward to the season being done,” Musgrove said, voice quivering. “After this season we lose three great individuals. I’ve been around them since seventh grade. It will be emotional at the end of the year.” Two of this year’s seniors are Steve Bruxvoort and Brandon Teeple. The other? Rod’s son Chris, one of the top runners in the state since his freshman year. The Runnin’ Mustangs have made state the last three years, and entered last year’s competition as a 2A favorite. PCM ended up third. “We should have won,” coach Musgrove said. “Two guys didn’t have their best days. That happens in running. We missed second by two points. I think it makes them hungry.” Ray Chubbuck, who has since graduated, finished fourth. Chris Musgrove, hampered by a late-season injury, was 12th. Bruxvoort was 32nd, with Teeple 56th. “At the beginning of the season, everyone said their goal was to win state,” Chris Musgrove said of this year’s team. “We would be bummed if we didn’t win the title. It would be cool to win it as a team. We’ve been getting our miles in. I think we’re ready.” Chris Musgrove also is ready for one last shot at an individual title. “Being my senior year, it means I have to get it done,” he said. “I felt I was capable of winning my sophomore and junior years.” Bruxvoort noted the mindset has changed for PCM over the years. “The first time at state, we were there for the first time in school history,” he said. “None of us were that serious. Now we’re going to win state. We’re going to have to step it up this year. I’m very confident we’ll be able to replace Ray this year.” Coach Musgrove said that’s due to the depth of this year’s team. “Ray was an outstanding runner, but seven guys make this team,” he said. “We’ll be fine this year.” The coach pointed to improved times for his seniors as well as Jake Potter, Ben Naber, Kaleb Catron and incoming freshman Colten Reed as reason for optimism. The season starts Saturday in Pella. The coach also points to trips to Fort Dodge the last three seasons for state. “Those are real crucial,” he said. “Every time you go there, you learn something new. It builds confidence. That’s what running is all about.” Assistant coach Matt Cockerton is coaching the four girls out this year, compared to the 14 boys. “We have some strong individuals,” Cockerton said of juniors Taylor Van Roekel, Jacque Kuecker, Stacie Townsend and freshman Lainy Wilson. “We had a down season last season, but we’re hoping to do better this year.” Cockerton isn’t looking too far down the road. “We’re going to take it one meet at a time,” he said. Cockerton has been particularly impressed with Kuecker. “Jacque is one of the hardest working girls in this school,” he said. “This girl is a workaholic in athletics. She loves to run. I hope that carries over to the races.” Despite recent success for the boys, Teeple knows that alone isn’t enough. “We’ll just keep working hard,” he said. “There are no guarantees for anything. It would be disappointing (to not win state). We’ve worked so hard for three years going into this. It was sweet to win state in golf. Now I want to win this one.”