The Perry High School cross country teams open up the season tonight when they travel to Ames and the famed Iowa State Course for the annual Gilbert Invitational.  Perry will feature a few new faces in the varsity lineup tonight including Zach Thompson and Zach Stewart.

“Yeah, we have both Zach’s out this year,” smiled Head Coach Jeff Fox.  “Zach Thompson was a football team addition for us due to his concussions while Zach Stewart brings a lot of energy to our squad.  They are both wrestlers and have that tough mindset which is necessary to be a good cross country runner.”

Fox’s late father Leon was instrumental in bridging the two sports of wrestling and cross country during his tenure as head coach of both programs in Perry.  The young Fox says it’s a natural fit.

“The running helps the wrestler in the fact that you build up enough endurance to go hard for 6 full minutes in a wrestling match.  Vice versa, the wrestling helps the cross country in the fact you have to build a tough mindset to succeed in our sport.  Wrestlers have a willingness to put themselves in a little more pain and discomfort than your normal kid.  To run a good cross country race, the truth is you will have to endure some pain and discomfort.”

Competition in Gilbert will get underway at 5:00 tonight.  Tune into the KDLS tomorrow for complete results for both the Perry boys and girls.