A new coach is bringing a familiar face back to Shawnee Heights High School as the cross country program prepares for the upcoming season.
Jeremy Hurla returns to his hometown to take over the Thunderbirds’ boys and girls programs after previously serving as the head middle school cross country coach at Tonganoxie. Hurla replaces John Oshel, who is now the Shawnee Heights athletic director.
Hurla inherits teams with a mix of experienced runners and younger athletes eager to develop.
“Team returns several strong performers from last year ready to improve, in addition to a few younger runners excited to learn,” Hurla said.
The girls team will be led by senior Abigail Lewis, who has played an important role in building interest in the program. Hurla said Lewis has been instrumental in helping the team continue to grow.
Kendall Lewis also returns as an important piece of the girls team. Hurla identified her as a “valuable piece of the puzzle” as the program works to build its numbers and establish a strong team culture.
Olivia Morstorf is an underclassman to watch. Morstorf joins Shawnee Heights after being a multi-sport athlete at Mater Dei and will bring that athletic background to the cross country program.
On the boys side, senior Andrew Schulte enters the season as a key leader after providing consistency throughout the summer.
“Senior who has been a consistent leader throughout the summer,” Hurla said of Schulte.
Freshman Miles Hadley also gives the boys team a young runner to watch. Hadley joins cross country after competing in track as a freshman.
With returning performers providing experience and several younger runners joining the program, Hurla is looking to establish a foundation for continued growth at Shawnee Heights.
The transition also gives Hurla an opportunity to coach in his hometown while taking over a program led previously by Oshel.
For both the boys and girls teams, the upcoming season will be about improving on last year’s performances while helping a new generation of runners learn and grow within the program.
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