The 2020 fall sports season is right around the corner, and the Tyrone Golden Eagle Cross Country team is getting ready to lace up for the first time on Saturday at home vs. Penns Valley and Moshannon Valley at 10 am.

The team already missed the opportunity to run the traditional first race of the season, the Big Valley Invitational, which was canceled due to the coronavirus.

However, they have been conditioning since August 23 and according to head coach Tammi Wills, they are ready for the season.

“With all the unknowns about the district and state meets our goal is the Mountain League this year,” said Wills.

The boys should still be a force in the Mountain League. The team graduated only two seniors from last season’s successful 6-2 season.

The girl’s team had no graduating seniors from last year’s 6-2 squad, and will also be very competitive.

Senior Garin Hoy should be the team leader for the boys, with Marissa Lewis, Ella Pearson, and Beth Pearson leading the girls’ squad.

There are also some great additions to both teams. Joining the boys’ team this year are junior Colton Fink, who is most certainly proving his worth, and senior Colin Yaudes, also a strong addition to the boys’ squad.

For the girls, freshman Lilly Ray and Aliyah Railing have been putting in the miles and will definitely contribute.

“I’m very excited for this season, and we will be successful,” senior Laura Kohler said.

With the first race of the 2020 season still yet to occur there is no way to tell who this season’s top finishers will be for the Golden Eagles.

The boys’ team consists of seniors Garin Hoy, Ian Imler, Blaine Hoover, Andrew Savino, and Colin Yaudes, juniors Adam Detwiler, Rory Quigley, Iziah Christy, and Colton Fink and freshman Thomas Sutt and JJ Herbster.

The girls’ squad consists of seniors Laura Kohler, Ella Pearson, and Paige Webster, juniors Marissa Lewis and Stephanie Ramsey, sophomore Beth Pearson and freshman Lilly Ray and Aliyah Railing.

Fans are allowed to attend meets as long as the total crowd is under 250. Spectators are also required to wear masks and practice social distancing.