With time growing short before the beginning of the 2008 competitive season, the East Jackson Eagles Cross Country teams continue to prepare for their sophomore year.
The boys hope to follow up on a strong freshman season that saw them end as the 8-AA champs.
Coach Bob Roller says the team looks good so far during the pre-season.
“The boys are going to be competitive,” Roller said. “They’re looking pretty good.”
Roller points to several runners he thinks are key to the team’s strength, including seniors Chris White and Andy Van Deventer, juniors Brandon Banks, Josh Kesler, Kevin Kesler, Terry Miller and Eric Van Deventer, and sophomore Blake Allbright.
“We’re coming along,” Roller said. “We’re not speed demons, but we’re all running about the same time.”
Roller said there are a lot of newcomers, and said several freshmen, including Josh Carney and Edward Stone, are showing promise.
“They’re starting to pull their weight a little bit,” he said.
Last year, the boys won seven of 12 meets, and five members were named to the All-Region team.
Pre-season polling slates the boys to finish fourth, but Roller expects a better finish.
“Of course, we won it last year, so maybe we can do something with it this year,” he said.
As for the girls, Roller says the team continues to improve. The Lady Eagles placed fifth in the region last year, and missed a trip to state by only two points.
Seniors Hope Boggs and Erika Deshone continue to improve, Roller said, while sophomore Sherry Blalock, last year’s top runner, continues to perform steadily in the pre-season.
Roller also pointed to sophomore Jessica Harper and junior Alexis Powell as strong points for the girls, as well as newcomers Kassie Mull, Dakota Chandler and Courtney Clark.
“The biggest thing with the girls is trying to overcome some aches and pains,” he said. “We’re not as far along as we’d like to be at this point.”
Pre-season polling puts the East Jackson girls fifth in the region. Last year, the team won two meets.
Roller is optimistic about both teams.
“We’ll see what happens. We’re not as far along with the girls as we are with the boys. Right now, I’ve got 25 boys and 14 girls on our varsity program. We’ll get a few more out before Labor Day.”
