Less than three weeks before the regional, the Granite City cross country team continues to give coach Rich Skirball reason for optimism.
"The kids are consistently dropping their times," Skirball said. "Just about every race, they're getting better."
On the girls side, junior Linette Hernandez has provided a pleasant surprise by moving up into the No. 2 position.
"She had been running five or six for us and she's been strong all season, but in the last couple meets at Springfield and Peoria, she's come on like gang busters," Skirball said. "Saturday at Peoria, she had a PR (personal record) of 20:34.
"Team-wise, we were going up against some of the best schools in the state. But the girls got to run on the state meet course (at Detweiller Park) and they faced some really good competition, which is going to help them in the long run.
"We've beaten Belleville East the last couple weeks and it's always good to beat somebody in the (Southwestern) conference. We're trying to chip away at the next team above us and that's Collinsville."
The Granite City boys, meanwhile, are competing without junior Rickey Brawley, who had been the fourth or fifth runner.
"Ricky has a broken hand and his doctor hasn't cleared him to run," Skirball said. "He's chomping at the bit to get back in there, but it probably won't be until the regional (Oct. 22 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville)."
In Brawley's absence, freshman Tyler Manion has stepped up by running varsity times in the past two meets, including 19:03 at Peoria.
"Tyler's twin brother Zach has been running varsity the last three or four meets, so those two have really helped us," Skirball said.
Junior Greg Rogers continues to shine as the No. 1 runner for the Warriors.
"Greg's goal has been to run under 16 minutes, but he came up a little short at Springfield and ran 16:04," Skirball said. "He ran 15:49 at Peoria. The conditions were ideal - it was brisk with no wind and plenty of sunshine."
Granite City was scheduled to run Tuesday in the Madison County Meet at Triad. The Warriors don't run again until the SWC meet, Oct. 14 at SIUE.
"At the county meet, we want to see how we stand with Collinsville and Alton for both boys and girls," Skirball said. "The conference will be a good indication of how we're going to do at the regional. It's all the same teams at the regional except for Quincy instead of East St. Louis, which is dropping down to Class 2A this year."
