Running long distance in the summer heat has readied over 30 DeKalb middle schoolers for the heat of competition when cross country season begins in just over a week. “We begin with the Cookeville Jam on Aug. 9,” said Middle School Cross Country Coach Kristin VanVranken of their first taste of competition this season, following a long summer of near daily runs in the often oppressive humidity. “Cookeville will give us an opportunity to have a good run in going into the season.”
Ready to run
![](https://tennessee.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/09/18/images/cross_country_practice.max-1200x675.jpg)
![cross country practice](https://tennessee.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/09/18/images/cross_country_practice.max-752x423.jpg)