The Kingston Redskins cross country team wrapped up its regular season Saturday with a four-hour trip to Enid for regional competition, where the young squad showeddetermination,toughness and plenty of promise for the future. Leading the way was sophomore Everett Eason,whofinished10thwith a respectable time of 17:31 despite battling a torn ACL.
Eason’s performance demonstrated the grit and determination that have become hallmarks of the Kingston program. With two more years of high school competition ahead of him, Eason has plenty of time to continue developing and building on his accomplishments. Coach Jones said Eason has grit.
“Eason is tough as nails,” the Kingston coach said, expressing pride in the sophomore’s ability to compete through adversity.
Dakota Tiger also turned in a standout performance, recording his season-best time and finishing 25th. His finishwasenoughtopunchhis ticket to the state meet, giving Kingston another runner the opportunity to compete against the state’s best.
While the individual accomplishments were worth celebrating, the coach emphasized that the Redskins’ success is about more than finishing places and times. Kingston has built a bluecollar program filled with young runners who are learning, improving and laying the foundation for future seasons, Jones said.
“We have a blue-collar, very young team,” Jones said. “I’m proud of each and every one of them. They’re only going to get better with time.”
The Redskins will turn their attention to Saturday’s state meet at Carl Albert, where Tiger will have the opportunity to measure himself against Oklahoma’s top competition. The meet will also provide a valuable look at where Kingston stands as it continues building toward its long-term goals.
For a young team still developing its experience and depth, the state competition represents another important step in the program’s growth. Kingston’s goal for next season is to qualify as a team, a challenge that will require continuedimprovement,commitment and hard work from every runner.
Jones made it clear that reaching that goal ultimately rests with the athletes themselves.
“I’ll tell them every day there’s only one person in control of that, and that is them,” he said.
With a determined group of young runners, individual milestones already achieved and another season of experience behind them, the Redskins have reason to be optimistic. Saturday’s state meet will offer a glimpse of what the program can accomplish now, and what may be possible as this young team continues to grow.