​​Inside look: St. Joseph's Knights and coach Marie Kernell

St. Joseph's Knights
Coach Marie Kernell
Years coaching: Ninth year
Record: Runner-up SCISA, two consecutive SCISA championships, Five consecutive Class A SCHSL titles
26 girls on the 2015 roster

Top returners: Annika Bissinger, Sara Catherine Masaschi, Hannah White, Bailey Mullins

Class A girls individual rankings
Class A girls team rankings

Expectations for the season: Win our eighth consecutive state title.

Uniqueness for me: I have never been on an organized sports team and had no coaching experience prior to taking over as head girls cross country coach...haha! I have a background in personal fitness training and a degree in Counseling and Psychology.

Meets focusing on: Obviously, the region and state meets.

Meet, however we take each meet seriously and race to win. I added two new meets (for us) this season: Schlotzsky's and Lake Murray.

Parent relationship advice: I inform the parents of my expectations for their children and for them prior to the beginning of the season. Communicating with parents on a regular and frequent basis during the season...I send xc updates no less than twice a week.

Sept. 28 SCTCCCA poll released


Challenges: Working with a wide variety of talent and fitness levels. Keeping the girls injury free.