The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - This summer, it was uncertain whether Dayton High School would have a cross country team this fall.

But, Coach Dan Nechodom and the district found ways to save money and found six students who were interested in running as fast as they can for 3 miles.

Nechodom, back for his eighth year as coach for the Bulldogs as a volunteer, has three high school seniors and three middle school-aged athletes. He had 10 runners last year, but he said this year's smaller team boasts dedicated athletes who have the potential to place in the top ranks in competition.

The runners from Dayton will compete as individuals in all competitions. To compete as a team, it would need five girls and five boys, Nechodom said. But, it's OK to compete as individuals, especially when Nechodom has a couple of runners showing real potential.

The first runner to watch is Micah Yeater, Nechodom said. This senior is new to cross country, but is taking his training seriously.

"He does a lot of training on his own," Nechodom said. "He's really growing into his potential."

Another athlete to watch is Anita Jackson. She is a returner from last year who did better in track last season than even she expected, Nechodom said. Jackson is running faster and harder than ever before.

Nechodom has middle school students on his team for the first time this year. He said he allows them to participate now because "there's room in the van," and he knows they love to run.

The team will head to its first competition soon at a jamboree on Labor Day. To prepare, the team has been practicing since Aug. 22.

This season, they have an assistant coach, Nathan Krecula, who is teaching the team members how to strengthen their cores to run faster over long periods of time. This endurance training should give them an edge on race days.

The teams the Bulldogs are most excited to watch are Waitsburg-Prescott, and St. John because they have some very strong athletes, Nechodom said.

Nechodom hasn't had any runners compete at the state level since 2008. He said there hasn't been as much talent on his team in the past two years, but this year that may all change with Yeater, if he lives up to his potential and keeps working hard.

"Micah has a good possibility," Nechodom said.