Seeing approximately 120 faces eager to hit the trails for the first team practice of the 2019 season Aug. 5 was a welcome moment for Dripping Springs head cross country coach Marisa Tuzzi.

While there are a handful of position and role questions that must be answered, Tuzzi was confident her Tiger team comprising of mostly underclassmen will step up when needed. That was evidenced by the commitment of those 120 waking up before the break of dawn ready to get the season started.

By instilling a ...