Sparks, Demons prepare for home meet

As a freshman, it can be intimidating to jump right into a varsity role, but for Washington runner Molly Sparks, she has been consistently improving for the Demon girls? cross-country team this season.

Posting a season-best time of 22:31 (coming in Fort Madison), and routinely finishing as the Demon?s No. 3 runner, the Washington freshman is excited to be making a big impact this year.

?It feels really good,? Sparks said. ?My first year of cross-country wasn?t as good, I thought, so it?s cool to be a freshman and be able to run with the higher level (of runners).?

As a freshman, Sparks noted that she felt a little extra pressure coming into the varsity race but having people like senior Emme Keith and sophomore Brooke Stout to run with make it easier.

?It?s harder, and mental ability is the biggest thing,? Sparks said. ?It?s very hard to go from 1.5 miles to 3.1. Running with (Emme and Brooke) and knowing that I can, it takes pressure off. I try to run as long as I can with them and then try to stay close.?

Washington cross-country head coach Steve Roth noted that her hard work makes her stand out on the team.

?I like her work ethic,? Roth said. ?She works really hard and does a lot of stuff. She?s busy and she does a nice job for us. We are really pleased with her.?

Sparks and the Demons are preparing for their first of two home meets at Washington Golf and Country Club this season, with Tuesday marking the Demon Invitational.

Washington also hosts the Southeast Conference meet on Oct. 15 later this season.

Teams that will be in attendance at Tuesday?s meet include Fairfield, Fort Madison, Highland, Keota, Keokuk, Burlington and Sigourney.

With home-field advantage, the team is hoping for a big home crowd to turn out to the meet.

?We are excited, and I?ve, personally, always run best at Washington,? Sparks said. ?Running at our home meet is exciting because we get to run on it twice this year.?

Roth noted that he is still looking for some volunteers for Tuesday?s meet, and that the Washington Golf Course has been extremely courteous in letting them use the course as the site for the race.

?It?s a great viewing race,? Roth said. ?(Spectators) get to see them run about five or six times. It?s hilly, but it?s nothing we aren?t used to. It?s good for us. Being at home is great.?

The junior high race will begin at 4:30 p.m. with varsity races to follow.