Ray County sports fans will see August Hoeper in a new coaching role this fall as he leads the Richmond High School cross country program.

Hoeper, whose résumé includes a basketball coaching stint at Hardin-Central, is in his second year coaching cross country at Richmond. He takes over an experienced group with 11 returning letter winners.

Richmond returns 10 varsity boys runners. Seniors Hunter Hamilton and Darius Maylon are joined by juniors Weston Allen, Jacob Slade, Jonah Slade and Hunter Wilson and sophomores Jaxon Ahart, Haydn Hemenway, Dallas Hurst and Braidyn Reffitt. Junior Abigail Smith is the returning varsity runner for the girls.

Maylon and Ahart, Richmond’s top two runners from last season, are expected to take on leadership roles as the Spartans welcome younger athletes into the program.

“Our top two runners from last year are returning: Darius Maylon and Jaxon Ahart. These two will help lead the way for the incoming freshmen and the junior high runners as well,” said Hoepe…