Highlands Cross Country Team has a new head coach, Lance Bucher. Bucher is an avid runner and has coached cross country and track in the past at Ludlow High School. With years of experience Bucher is excited to see what he can accomplish at Highlands.
Bucher was hired last May as the new cross country coach after Brian Alessandro stepped down. Athletic Director Wes Caldwell said, “I think he was a good hire, he’s very passionate about Highland athletics, the wealth of running and knowledge of Highland and Highland sports is unmatched.”
Highlands has had a strong cross country team for a while. Expectations are high with big goals in mind this season.
Both Bucher and Caldwell want students to improve each time they run. Bucher said, “Our goals are to continually improve and to be competitive at each meet.”
Alessandro was the head coach of the Highlands cross country team for over a decade, leaving Bucher with big shoes to fill this season.
Caldwell said, “My goal is to just keep improving and building on what Brian Alessandro built, and constant improvement throughout the season.”
Olive Lecky (9) feels confident in her and the team’s abilities.
“My feelings for the season are that we are going to do great. Our new coach is doing amazing and pushing us.”
The Highlands cross country team has their first meet this weekend on Saturday at Williamstown. The team is hoping to work their way up the rankings throughout the season, be competitive with the other teams in the region, and have the boys and girls team make it to state by the end of the season in October.
