For long time Iowa Mennonite School cross country coach Marty Gingerich, the late start for the season is good for his young runners.

IMS won’t actually start competing until September 10th when they travel to Fairfield. The extra time is helpful with Gingerich relying on young runners this year.

The girls’ group is especially young and low in numbers. The coach will have two freshmen, Rachel Geyer and Mackenzie Gutierrez along with a junior transfer from Mid-Prairie in Calli Shaw. Due to the transfer Shaw will be ineligible to compete this season. There are no runners returning from last year’s team.

There is a little experience for the boys’ squad, with a pair of returning runners in junior Jim Wang and sophomore Levi Geyer. Geyer finished 24th in the conference and 23rd at district last year.

Gingerich is in his 14th year as cross country coach at IMS.