Cotrell leads Lady Mules XC

Poplar Bluff junior Wren Cotrell has been leading the Lady Mules on the course this season and after grabbing a victory at the Dexter Invitational last week, she’s a little more comfortable heading into the Class 5, District 1 Meet on Saturday at Northwest.

Cotrell’s best time in the 5,000 meters came Sept. 20 in the Van Buren Scene River Run, a race Cotrell also won, with a time of 21:22.30, almost two minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. Her time would also also won the small school division by almost 15 seconds.

Despite her recent successes, Cotrell admitted she’s got some butterflies.

“I’m nervous but I’m ready,” she said. “I feel ready.”

When meeting Cotrell, her bright demeanor is easy to see but even she said keeping a positive mindset is key.

“Cross country is a very mental sport,” she said. “There’s not a lot of thinking when you’re running. It’s thinking of all the thing that want to make you stop or all of the pains that you’re feeling. Sometimes it’s all you can think about. It’s important to think about the positive.”

Cotrell said she gained some confidence after her finish last week.

“It showed me that I can what I know I can do,” she said.

Those competing in Saturday’s district race will have to prepare in unusually high temps for this time of the year but come race day, the forecast looks like better cross country weather.

In the days leading up to the race, Cotrell said she knows the importance of a good teammate and does her best to be one.

“Definitely encouraging each other,” she said was key. “Tell them they’re doing a good job, be there for them, check up on them I know a lot of my teammates, they get stressed before districts. It’s important to send them a message before they arrive, just to encores them. They’re going to do amazing.”

Cotrell and her teammates hit the course at Class 5, District 1 Meet on Saturday at the Northwest Early Childhood Center in Cedar Hill.