If cross country is your sport, then sitting down and chatting with Chelsey Skinner is a must.

She is in her second season of retooling the Linton- Stockton High School programs, and success has bubbled up during that time. And Skinner is determined to continue up that success ladder.

She’s thankful for the opportunity her former school has given her to coach the teams. And she’s making the most of it.

girls team members eva wring, mia cole, kennedy landis, alexis earle, brynley franklin, wremee leigh, and brylee dilorenzo

“I’m really proud of the (athletes), and I’m nothing but thankful to the school because they’ve been behind me all along,” Skinner said following a practice at Humphreys Park. “Anything that I’ve suggested, they’ve supported me. And the parents, they’ve supported me.

“It’s been great, and that makes it so much easier.”

Skinner took over the programs (girls and boys) this season after serving as the second varsity coach last year. Her goals have remained the same. And they’re simple. She understands to build the program to the level she expects, it will take time.

“My goals for this program are, No. 1, to grow (total number of athletes), and No. 2, to have (several) home meets.”

Boys team members Nolan Stockrahm, rilan overton, and aj dale

Skinner is making strides in both areas. The girl’s program is up to seven runners, and the boys have three. The middle school program is helping feed runners to the varsity team, and Skinner is working with elementary students to get them interested in running.

“Why should they go out and run because some people think running is punishment? This last June we had our first ever cross country camp and we started in the low grades, like first through fourth grade,” Skinner explained. “I think that’s where you’ve got to start, down in the lower grades. This is a time to try it out. See what you think. You may love it, and you never knew that.”

The boys’ team doesn’t have enough runners for a team score at each meet, but the girls do. The girls advanced to the regional a year ago and have the goal of doing the same this year.

So far this season, the girls have won the Loogootee Invitational, and the Chad Smith Invitational at Sullivan.

Junior Wremee Leigh is leading the way for the Lady Miners. She has a best time of 20 minutes, 31 seconds so far this season.

Skinner said Leigh has a strong work ethic.

“I really love the environment cross country has ... you’ll go to a race, not even just like within our team, but any race that you go to, everyone’s super supportive. You have parents from other schools cheering me on which I appreciate it. It keeps me motivated with everyone being supportive,” Leigh said.

“There’s no bad sportsmanship in cross country. That’s just one of my favorite things about it. Obviously, I enjoy the physical aspect of it being able to move my body and run, it’s like a stress reliever. It’s just something that I enjoy doing and I love exercising.

“I have been running probably since fourth grade, just different things like going on walk/runs with my dad. Obviously in sixth grade, whenever I tried cross country, it really clicked.”

Joining Leigh for the Lady Miners are seniors Alexis Earle (24:38 personal best), Kennedy Landis (26:11), and Brynley Franklin (28:45). Three freshmen round out the roster — Mia Cole (21:23), Brylee DiLorenzo (22:23), and Eva Wring (23:08).

Seniors Brynley Franklin, Kennedy Landis, and Alexis Earle at senior night on Oct. 5.

The boys’ team includes sophomore Nolan Stockrahm (24:34), Rilan Overton (20:52), and AJ Dale (22:03).

The state tournament starts Oct. 17 with the sectional at Bedford North Lawrence. The Lady Miners are eyeing a return trip to the regional and possibly further. Leigh hopes to advance as an individual if the team doesn’t.

Leigh’s strategy is to stay as close to the lead runners as possible.

“If somebody’s running faster than me, I try to push myself to be with them. I like doing that, stay pretty consistent. I am very bad at kicking at the end so I would not say that’s a strength of mine,” Leigh said.

Skinner says this year’s team is stronger than a year ago.

“We are definitely better as a whole this year and Wremee is running very well, and she’s not peaked yet,” Skinner said.

Matthew Hayden, a Linton-Stockton graduate, is volunteering his time to help Skinner and the teams.

“Matthew has been great because he is younger and faster than me, so he can motivate some of the quicker runners (by running with them). I can motivate the middle of the pack and keep them on pace,” Skinner said.

“A lot of our scoring is going to depend on our No. 5 runner and that’s where my upper classmen are going to have to step up.”

Skinner can share her experiences as a runner and athlete. She’s a 2000 Linton-Stockton graduate, and ran cross country and track, and played basketball.

She’s still a runner, and practices with the team.

“One of the boys asked, ‘What’s your PR?’ I said, ‘Do you know I’m 44 years old?’ I’m just happy I’m out here and still running,” Skinner joked.

Leigh is thankful Skinner has taken over as coach and pushing her and her teammates to be the best they can be.

“I’d like to shout out to Chelsey. I am very grateful that she stepped up this year and took the spot. She’s an amazing coach and I just appreciate all the support that she’s given us.”

Skinner says the successes the team has had this year will help motivate them to achieve even more in the future.

“They see we’re achieving their goals and we’re winning invitationals. Where before, we weren’t achieving any of that. And winning is fun. That’s the reason you get up at 6 in the morning, put in that work ... winning, and winning as a team, not just as an individual. And then you set your goals even higher,” Skinner said.

Next year’s team will have another Skinner in the fold. The coach’s daughter, Sophia, will be a freshman.

The Miners will take part in the SWIAC Meet on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Shakamak. The sectional at Bedford North Lawrence is Saturday, Oct. 17.

“I hope we’re sitting here next year talking again, and we’ve achieved even more. I’m excited where the program is headed,” Skinner said.