THE MOVE up to Class AAA has done nothing to temper expectations surrounding Jackson County’s girls’ cross country team, which has advanced to four-straight state meets.
In fact, the Lady Panthers check in at no. 9 in the Class AAA preseason rankings.
As members of Region 8-AAA now, Jackson County will run in a region that still includes North Oconee, which beat the Lady Panthers for a the region title in 8-AA last year. The Lady Titans are ranked no. 7 in Class AAA.
“The girls will have a similar test although we have an established program I hope to continue the streak we have of going to state and contending for region titles,” fifth-year coach Joseph Brubaker said.
Jackson County finished fifth in Class AA a year ago.
Expectations are certainly high with four runners off last year’s Region 8-AA runners-up, back this fall.
Heading that list is all-region runner Sydney Baird, who finished seventh in the region last year with a 21:44 and 25th at state with a 21:25.
“Sydney Baird has been training very well and should excel this year,” Brubaker said.
Maddie Newton returns after running a 21:58 at state last year with the potential for bigger things this fall.
“Maddie Newton should continue to develop and become an all region runner,” Brubaker said.
Rounding out the returning cast is Kourtney Axelberg (25:03 at state last year) and Michayla Scollon (22:43 at state last year).
“Kourtney Axelberg is a tenacious trainer and goal setter,” Brubaker said. “Michayla Scollon has a ton of naturally ability she draws from.”
This Saturday’s season-opening meet at Athens Christian should tell Brubaker a lot about the rest of his squad. To that end, he said Savannah Shaw, Bailye Hendley, Monica Jimenez and Allison Freeman all could contribute on varsity this year.
On the boys’ side, Brubaker wants this to be a stepping-stone season for a program that’s been trying to gain traction since Jackson County Comprehensive High School split in 2007 to form East Jackson.
Lead runner J.T. Wood (19:40 at region last year) is back and running well, while Anthony Allen (20:36 at region) is training very well, according to Brubaker. Meanwhile, Trevin Sweat is a new sophomore with natural ability and “a ton of potential,” and Zach Sears (22:07 at region) logged the most summer mileage Brubaker said.
Several others could contribute, including Cory Ramey, Tyler Manculich (22:08 at region) and Danny Butler (21:34 at region).
“I really like the inner squad competition among them,” Brubaker said of the boys’ team. “It will only improve them and thus the team. We have needed that.”
The boys will run in a region that includes Oconee County, North Oconee, Hart County — all of which are ranked in the preseason top 10 — and East Jackson.
“Maddie Newton should continue to develop and become an all region runner,” Brubaker said.
Rounding out the returning cast is Kourtney Axelberg (25:03 at state last year) and Michayla Scollon (22:43 at state last year).
“Kourtney Axelberg is a tenacious trainer and goal setter,” Brubaker said. “Michayla Scollon has a ton of naturally ability she draws from.”
This Saturday’s season-opening meet at Athens Christian should tell Brubaker a lot about the rest of his squad. To that end, he said Savannah Shaw, Bailye Hendley, Monica Jimenez and Allison Freeman all could contribute on varsity this year.
On the boys’ side, Brubaker wants this to be a stepping-stone season for a program that’s been trying to gain traction since Jackson County Comprehensive High School split in 2007 to form East Jackson.
Lead runner J.T. Wood (19:40 at region last year) is back and running well, while Anthony Allen (20:36 at region) is training very well, according to Brubaker. Meanwhile, Trevin Sweat is a new sophomore with natural ability and “a ton of potential,” and Zach Sears (22:07 at region) logged the most summer mileage Brubaker said.
Several others could contribute, including Cory Ramey, Tyler Manculich (22:08 at region) and Danny Butler (21:34 at region).
“I really like the inner squad competition among them,” Brubaker said of the boys’ team. “It will only improve them and thus the team. We have needed that.”
The boys will run in a region that includes Oconee County, North Oconee, Hart County — all of which are ranked in the preseason top 10 — and East Jackson.
