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.”