Cross country 'Cats open season at Jackson

DEXTER HIGH SCHOOL'S 2008 CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

As compared to the other major high school sports, the cross country program at Dexter High School would be considered in its early childhood stage as the team prepares for the season's first meet Saturday at Jackson.

After many years without a cross country program, Dexter resurrected the sports, thanks in large part to the efforts of Jill King, an avid runner herself who coaches the track team as well as the cross country squad.

The 2008 season will mark the fourth year that the Bearcats have fielded a cross country team that is still trying to establish itself.

Jerry Jarrell photo Dexter's Brittney Waldner (left) and Lizzie Kohlbaker lead the pack as the Bearcats' cross country team practices. The team will open the season Saturday at Jackson.

"I think this will definitely be a building year for both the girls and boys," King said. "All the boys are sophomores and one freshman, while I have five juniors and the rest sophomores and freshman on the girls side. So I'm not sure how we will be this year.

"I am really excited, though," King continued. "I think we have a lot of potential and we could definitely be better than in the years past if we continue to hard and believe in ourselves. I think the key with young runners is confidence. By the middle of the season, we should really start making some moves and improving."

While cross country team enters meets as a team, it is also an individual sport. A good time can help the team, but it can also bring individual honors and post season success.

Gone from last year's team are two highly successful runners in Samantha Waldner and Jason Kohlbaker. Both participated in cross country and track, and both earned college scholarships for their efforts.

The graduation of those two has left a void in the leadership position for this year team.

"My leadership is mainly coming from my junior class and a few of the sophomores," King commented. "Luke Robinson is doing a great job leading the boys right now and Brittney Waldner (Samantha's sister) is doing a good job with the girls. All the girls back this year ran last season, except maybe two, so I think we are really going to build a strong team for this year and years to come. Our guys all ran last year so they know what is expected of them to be successful."

Cross Country meets are mainly contested on Saturday's and the Bearcats will participate in a total of nine meets leading up to district's, scheduled for Nov. 1 (Saturday). The team will compete in a Thursday meet on Sept. 25 at Oak Ridge, a Tuesday meet at Chaffee on Sept. 30, and a Tuesday meet at Advance on Oct. 21 which will conclude the regular season. The SEMO Conference meet is slated for Oct. 16 (Thursday).

"I'm looking at a few young ones to step up this year and run well," King noted. "Amelia Jibben and Jessica Litchfield have been really running well this year so far. Brittney Waldner, Lizzie Kohlbaker, Hannah Baker, and Hannah Mathis have also been running great. Luke Robinson, Alex Allstrun, and Ryan Bagby have also been putting in the extra miles for the boys.

" I'm really excited about working with this group of kids this year and I think they will start surprising their competition about middle of the season."

CROSS COUNTRY

All meets, with the exception of conference and district, are varsity and junior varsity