As the 2024 high school cross country season gets underway, Herriman is one of the top teams—not just in the state but in the nation. 

Both the boys and girls teams look strong, with the boys ranked No. 1 in the nation in preseason polls. The girls are also on the verge of securing a top-25 national ranking. So, it’s an understatement to say that expectations are through the roof this season for both squads. 

“We will be very good on both sides for our varsity teams,” head coach Doug Soles said. “We expect to compete at a high level. Our goal this season for the boys is to repeat as national champions! Our girls’ goal is to finish top three at state.”

The Mustangs were second in the 6A state meet on the boys’ side a year ago, placing right behind American Fork. But Herriman won first place at the national level behind a deep group of distance runners. The girls were fifth last season in 6A. 

Soles said avoiding injuries is critical to the success for both the boys and girls teams. Also, cross country is a sport that demands mental toughness. 

“The key to a successful season in cross country is keeping them healthy and focused for the important meets at the end of the season,” Soles said. “Our boys are pretty deep, but our girls will have to remain healthy to keep us in the top ranks.”

Herriman has the luxury of boasting up to eight boys that can run at the front of the pack most of the time, something Soles said is not an easy feat. Meanwhile, though the girls team doesn’t have as many high-placing finishes as the boys, Soles is excited about his top performers on the girls’ side.

“Most teams are lucky to have one guy that can run in the front of most races, so we will be very strong with top-end talent,” he said. “The girls team isn’t deep, but we have five to six strong girls and will pack run really well, having many of our varsity girls finish close together.”

The Mustangs have seven senior boys leading the team as captains: Tayshaun Ogomo, Noah Manwaring, Cooper Tripp, Jonah Tang, Micah Tang, Parker Monsivais and McKay Steadman. Ogomo was fifth at the state meet last season, while Jonah Tang was sixth and Micha Tang 12th. Herriman’s captains are examples by their performance, hard work, commitment and attitude. They are also examples to the other athletes on the team away from competition. 

“We have amazing leadership, and it will really help with keeping our athletes focused and dialed in this season,” Soles said. “[Ogomo], Jonah [Tang], and Micah [Tang] all return from last year’s NXN national championship team.”

Captains for the girls team are seniors Maci Woolf, Claire Hoenes, Zanna Bruening and Stella Smuin as well as juniors Breelyssa Leeper, Lindsey Gerhart and Sadie Henderson. 

Because the girls team is smaller in numbers and in experienced runners, younger athletes need to be ready to step up in case of injuries, Soles said. For the boys, Soles is hoping there will be strong team chemistry and camaraderie.

“The boys team is so good; it always comes down to managing time and race entries for the top end guys,” he said. “We need to keep everyone happy and feeling a part of the success.”

The 2024 season started off well for the Mustangs. The first invitational was Aug. 10, with the boys winning with a score of 18 points (a perfect score in cross country is 15). Six of the top seven runners were from Herriman, with Ogomo topping everyone with a time of 14:54.3 in the 2.95-mile course. The girls performed well, scoring 21 points at the meet. The boys also ran the course a minute faster than it had the previous year. The girls showed significant improvement, finishing the invitational race two minutes faster than it had in 2023. The top three runners were Mustangs, with Woolf leading everyone with a time of 18:27.8. Five Herriman runners on the girls’ side finished the race in the top eight. Soles was happy to see the girls’ progress, noting that it is a “good sign” for what will be in store the rest of the season for the group.

Soles is grateful to coach a highly ranked team filled with skilled, dedicated athletes. Beyond their abilities as cross country runners, the Herriman athletes are high-caliber young men and young women. It makes his job so much easier knowing he has athletes he can trust to do their best in and away from the sport. 

“This has been a great group of athletes to coach,” he said. “They are starting to really understand the sacrifices it takes to get to the elite level. They are all super nice kids.”

Herriman will continue to participate in invitationals throughout the season. The Mustangs will compete against fellow Region 2 squads Mountain Ridge, Bingham, Riverton, Copper Hills and Corner Canyon. There will also be opportunities to go up against athletes from other schools in Class 6A and throughout the state. 

Following a lengthy regular season, the Class 6A state cross country meet will take place Oct. 30 at Sugar House Park. The Mustangs should be a favorite on the boys’ side to win the title and on the girls’ side to compete for top honors. λ