The Lakeland Prep High School boys’ and girls’ cross country programs are experiencing their strongest seasons since the school’s founding, with both squads chasing history as they head into the final stretch of competition.
The boys’ roster of 18 and the girls’ roster of nine are led by seasoned upperclassmen who have been with the program since its beginning. Seniors Matt Normand and Tatum Madden have emerged as key leaders, establishing the culture and traditions that continue to shape the Lions’ success.
On the course, friendly rivalries among teammates have fueled competitive results. For the boys, runners Gabe Russel and George Elkins regularly trade first and second place finishes, while Sebastian Buder and Matthew Normand push each other for the third and fourth spots. That competitive edge has already delivered results, as the boys secured team victories at Olive Branch and Millington — the first meet wins in school history.
The girls’ team recently achieved a milestone of its own, earning its first-ever meet win. The lineup has been bolstered by the addition of freshmen Elaine Fabacher and Victoria Santayygo, along with international exchange students Lisa Spagl and Cristina Fernandez, who have strengthened the team’s depth.
With the season just past its halfway mark, Head Coach Grady (boys) and Coach Kelly (girls) have set their sights on an ambitious goal: qualifying both the boys’ and girls’ teams for the TSSAA State Championships. While Lakeland Prep has sent individual runners in previous years, the program has never qualified full teams.
This year, the state meet will be held in Memphis for the first time in several years, and it will take place on Lakeland Prep’s home course at Shelby Farms. The event will be held the first week of November. The Lions will attempt to secure their place at the regional qualifying race on October 29, and coaches are encouraging community support.
“We have had individuals qualify for state before but never our whole teams,” Coach Grady said. “It is our goal this season to send both squads to state and defend our home course.”
