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# Sandy cross country starts strong with key players
- URL: https://www.sandystandard.com/sandy-cross-country-starts-strong-with-key-players/
- Published: 2026-10-01T18:13:18.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T18:13:18.000Z
- Author: The Sandy Standard

*By Jules Rogers, The Sandy Standard*

Pioneer runners are off to a strong start, and hope to drive that success all the way through the season this school year.

“Our girls’ team placed first at our district preview,” said Cross-country Coach Dalen Kansala. “The boys had two runners within top 15, which gives us good chances of sending some boys to state.”

By the end of the season, the top seven runners overall will advance to the state competition. 

“Our top athletes are super motivated to put in the work to get those top seven spots,” Kansala said. “I’m excited to watch their hard work pay off.”

Kansala said key boy athletes to watch this season are Zachary Buduell and Hudson Goers, and the top girl athletes are Chloe Hutchison and Willa Hagemann. 

“Rosalie Normand is one to watch this season,” Kansala said. “As a freshman, (she’s) starting off the season super strong competing with our top girls.”

Kansala said her coaching philosophy treats running as a lifelong sport.

“I love coaching cross country because these athletes are learning skills they can take with them after high school,” Kansala said. “The ability to push through when things get hard is something all of them learn through running 5Ks.”

Kansala said the cross country team is like a family, and has the best kids to work with. 

“I love watching when it clicks for athletes and they put together a solid race,” Kansala said. “But more importantly as a coach I love supporting, guiding, and helping young athletes on and off the course.”