By Jack Hart
The Clinton Maroons cross-country program is entering the 2026 season with plenty of momentum, strong numbers and high expectations.
With a roster that has grown to nearly 40 athletes, Clinton has built a culture around hard work, consistency and, perhaps most importantly, having fun together.
The summer preparation has been demanding. Athletes have been putting in miles, completing tempo runs, hills and 400-meter workouts while also building team chemistry. That chemistry was strengthened even further during a team trip to Colorado, where runners trained together, hiked and spent time bonding outside of practice.
For senior Justin Droke, the depth of the program has become one of its biggest strengths.
The Maroons have athletes pushing each other throughout the roster, creating competition that continues to make the entire team better. Droke believes consistency will be especially important for the younger runners entering the program.
“You’re probably not going to have good days every day,” Droke said. “So just showing up and being intentional is probably the best thing I can give.”
Droke enters his final season with a goal of breaking 15:30 in the three-mile race. After breaking 16 minutes last season, he wants to continue proving to himself how much he has improved throughout his high school career.
The senior also has his eyes on the state meet, believing this could be Clinton’s best season yet.
On the girls’ side, Averie Fatheree is also looking toward a potential trip to state. Fathery said the team’s main focus is qualifying together, despite facing a difficult sectional.
The Maroons have also emphasized smart racing throughout the preseason, focusing on first-half pacing before making a push during the second half of races.
Freshman Kenna Beck has quickly embraced that philosophy as she begins her high school career. Beck said the transition from junior high has been a big change, but she has enjoyed being part of a large group and the teamwork that comes with it.
Her goal for the season is to race smart and learn how to establish the right pace before and during races.
That same mentality is shared throughout the program.
Brockton Sumner enters the season with an ambitious goal of earning All-State honors, which would mean finishing inside the top 25 at the state meet. He also has his sights set on competing against Tuscola and is looking forward to several major meets throughout the season.
Cayden Bostic has equally high expectations. He is targeting a sub-14:40 three-mile time and hopes to finish inside the top five at state.
For Aubrey Peterson, the goal is a personal record and a chance to qualify for state. Peterson is targeting a time under 17:30 and believes the team’s depth will help keep everyone accountable throughout the season.
The growth of Clinton’s program has been something co-head coaches Rachel Anderson-Lyons (Rachel Lyons) and Leann Sosamon have taken great pride in.
The coaches said the program now has 48 athletes on the roster, a dramatic increase from the smaller groups they had when they first began coaching. They credit the athletes, families, administration and community for helping create a culture where running has become something the town embraces.
The coaches have also worked to balance the demanding nature of cross country with team-building activities, including movie nights, pizza by the pool and the Colorado trip.
That culture will be on full display at Clinton’s annual Light It Up meet.
The event began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional Friday night activities were limited. Clinton athletic director Matt Koeppel helped develop the idea of bringing people together under the lights for a cross-country event.
Since then, Light It Up has continued to grow. This year’s event is expected to feature around 40 schools, along with vendors and plenty of community activities, capped by fireworks.
For the Clinton runners, however, the most important part remains the support they receive from the community.
The athletes repeatedly encouraged Clinton residents to come out to meets, cheer them on around town and support Light It Up.
As the Maroons prepare to officially begin the 2026 season, the combination of depth, experience, young talent and a strong team culture has Clinton believing this could be a special year.
And if the summer preparation is any indication, the Maroons are ready to put that work on display.
