By Taylor Eldridge

‘Tis the season where high school senior start to decide where they will continue playing sports next year in college. As your local cross country correspondent, I will try to update everyone on where your cross country runners are going to college. Feel free to e-mail me at teldridge24@yahoo.com if you have any information about college decisions of the local runners.

Oddly enough, the first one I post is a pair of cross country runners that are going to college to play soccer. Brenna and Kaitlan Kleman, two Derby seniors, were part of a very solid supporting cast the previous two years for the Panthers’ cross country team, but they both signed to play women’s soccer at Hutchinson Community College next season.

I know both are pretty solid soccer players, obviously, but they were pretty good runners as well. I know Brenna was consistently a top-5 runner on a very successful Derby cross country team this past fall and Kaitlan was not too far behind. I talked to Brenna earlier about it and she said she received offers from Fort Hays State, Emporia State, Baker, Southwestern and more to run for them, but in the end she choose to play soccer with her sister. Sounded like a tough decision for both of them, but in the end you have to go with your gut.

Also, from what I’ve heard from Derby cross country coach Eldon Edwards, the twins might be interested in running some at some point in college. So be sure to keep an eye on them.

Again, any new information you can reach me at teldridge24@yahoo.com

Back row: Tony Kleman & Sammy Lane (Hutch soccer coach). Front row: Brenna Kleman, Denny Kleman & Kaitlan Kleman