The Lone Tree Lions will soon be off and running on a new season of cross country. That includes senior Vivian Zarbua, who is looking to finish off an excellent career with more hardware.

Zaruba just missed out on another state-qualifying time last season after reaching the Class 1A championships in 2022. Lone Tree head coach Ashley Zaruba tells KCII Sports that she’s already seen Vivian make great progress since last fall to keep up her elite form.

“I’m impressed with her,” Zarbua says. “She’s been doing some training over the summer, some longer runs, which is good to see. She’s got a little more added drive in there, wherever it may come from. She’s doing a great job. She’s got her head down and her goals set.”

Also back for the Lion girls are junior Jazmine Nino and sophomore Abby Zaruba, while sophomore Brock Nebergall returns to the boys’ team after a solid debut season. Lone Tree’s first race of the new cross country season is this coming Tuesday at the Hillcrest Academy Invitational in Kalona.