PLATTSMOUTH - The Plattsmouth boys cross country team, fresh off their eighth district championship in 28 years, will try to give their head coach Todd Nott his first boys championship at the Nebraska School Activities Association State Cross Country Meet in Kearney.

The Blue Devils have finished in the top-three 20 times during Nott's 28-year tenure. They've finished runner-up twice.

They aren't stressing over the first mile of the race, and are enjoying a lighter week of practice and doing fun activities leading up to the 5K race at the Kearney Country Club on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Nott says many runners get excited and think they have to earn a medal during the opening mile, but they could also lose a medal if they go out to hard.

"I'm hoping they're confident they can move up at the state meet just like they moved up throughout the race at districts," Nott said. "I hope that confidence comes through and they can do that, because there are some hills away from fans, midway through the race, that people don't see. The character of a runner really shows what they're doing when no coach or fan can see them."

Senior Stockton Graham was the Class B-1 individual champion last week in Waverly. He won it in a time of 16:56. Seniors Corey Wiseman, Caleb Davis and Hunter Smith, junior Kaleb Wooten, and sophomore Samuel Campin will also run for Plattsmouth.

Nott was proud of the way his girls team battled with Omaha Mercy and Waverly at the district meet to earn the third and final spot to state, a year after placing fourth and just missing out on making the trip.

"If they can each cut their time like they did at the district meet, they're going to be more than respected at the state meet. Whatever place the team falls in, that'll be fine. Madison Nelson is on the outskirts. If she has a really good race, she could pick up a medal. I hope she goes after that. It's a quality field, but she does have a shot. She's had a great senior year."

Senior Sydney Nelson, juniors Sophia Wehrbein and Ava LaSure, sophomore Jozlyn Barnes, and freshman Natalie Briggs will join Madison for the Blue Devils 21st trip to the state meet in 28 years. They've won three state championships.

2019 NSAA State Cross Country Championships

Follow Hunter on Twitter: @TheBurnRadio