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Jenkins, the first year coach of the Lapeer West cross country team, appears to be ready for the job. Jenkins admits that his squad for the 2008 has some potential but in order for the Panthers to have a good season, they are going to have to be as willing to work as hard as their new coach.

"With a new coach comes new ideas," Jenkins said. "We have added some new training to work on form and discipline. Without the proper form and discipline, we are just punishing our bodies. You can have a real talented team, but with no skill or discipline you will be bad.

"At Lapeer West, we are starting with the basics and working our way up."

Jenkins, himself an admitted runner, will be looking to his returnees to make up for the losses of seniors Josh Levoir and Dan Coulter from the 2007 cross country team. Returning for their senior season at West will be Joe Cull, Scott Boller, Brett Cavanaugh, Jason Polidor and Dan Baker, all whom Jenkins referred to as "strong runners".

For the girls squad, Jenkins expects seniors Katlyn Dowdall, Emily Nugent, Tori Pete and Taylor Cramton to lead the runners for the Panthers.

"We have an experienced group of runners (returning) this year," Jenkins said. "Scott Boller and Katlyn Dowdall will serve as our team captains.

"We have a solid team with lots of potential."

As for newcomers to the Panthers, Jenkins listed freshman Jacob Weingartz for the boys and Elisa Kintner and Ashley Nugent for the girls as runners that could have an immediate impact on the success of the Panthers for the 2008 season.

"If those three work hard, it should be a great addition to the team," Jenkins said. "We do a pretty tough schedule in front of us this year. But we have a lot of talent this year.

"If the team has the dedication to build the discipline they need to succeed, they will be surprised how good they will do."

The Lapeer West cross country opens their season on August 27, at the Bauman-Cavalier Classic at Carman-Ainsworth High School. The race will begin at 4:00 p.m.

The 2008 Lapeer West cross country schedule:

08/27 at Bauman-Cavalier Classic, Carman-Ainsworth 4:00PM
09/06 at Corunna Invitational 9:00AM
09/09 @ Clio 5:15PM 09/13 @ Almont Foxes and Hounds Invitational 10:00AM
09/16 Lapeer East 5:15PM 09/18 @ County Meet @ North Branch 4:00PM
09/23 @ Holly 5:15PM 09/30 @ Brandon 5:15PM 10/04 @ Saginaw Heritage Invitational 9:30AM 10/07 @ Lapeer East5:15PM
10/11 @ Kayla O'Mara Invitational Goodrich Middle School 9:00AM 10/14 @ FML @ Linden 10/17 @ Carman-Ainsworth Invitational 4:00PM