Local teams gear up for season

By Chris Pobst

sd_sports@yahoo.com

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs cross country team will have experience as well as new blood as they kick off the 2010 season.

"We have some hard workers," Sikeston head coach Gregg Holifield said. "We have some guys that ran last year and also some young ones too. I really like our kids and I think we'll have a good year."

Top returners for the Bulldogs this year will be Dustin Wells and Ethan Scherer, who also plays soccer for the Bulldogs as well.

In all, Holifield has four two-way players that run cross country and play soccer. A combination that usually ends with success.

"They always do well in the meets," said Holifield about the soccer/runners. "I know it's tough on them playing two different sports, but the runners that are soccer players we have, they typically do well."

After losing six runners from last year's squad Holifield has a total of 10 on this season's roster -- seniors Wells, Greg Smith, Grant Hinton and Evan Underwood, juniors Scherer, Blake Angle and Jacob Wilson, sophomores Josh Young and Jamie Newman as well as the lone freshman of the group, Austin Nail.

"We had several runners that placed in our meets last year and did well," Holifield said. "I'm looking forward to it and the kids are excited about getting the season started as well."

Sikeston will have their first meet on Sept. 4 at Jackson High School.

Kelly

KELLY -- The Kelly Hawks cross country team will be one of the smallest squads to compete in the 2010 season, but it doesn't mean they won't have their share of contenders.

With four-year all-state qualifier Cody Kern now running for William Woods University, cross country head coach Corey Campbell will be looking at a few runners to help guide the Hawks again.

"We were very successful last year as Juan Campos completed all the races with good times and top 25 finishes," said Campbell. "We look forward to Juan repeating with even better results."

Sophomore Alan Lowe is expected to be back after suffering a hip injury that sidelined him last season for many races.

"Alan is feeling good and ready to run," Campbell said.

Campbell also feels that a solid group of freshman will help the cause as well lead by Jerrod Lynn, Trey Walker, Caleb Birk, Rachel Birk Derrick Garner and Devon Romine.

"This group will be top contenders in all of our invitationals," Campbell said. "We have a junior high group of seventh and eighth grade boys and girls that are extremely excited about this year's XC season as well."

Kelly will be hosting the 14th Annual Kelly High School Cross Country meet on Sept. 7th starting at 4 p.m. to open their season.

Dexter

DEXTER -- The Dexter Bearcat cross country team lost most of their team last year due to graduation. They will try to rebuild with a promising group of freshman.

"We lost a lot of seniors," head coach Jill King said. "We're young, but I think we've got a lot of talent. I'm anxious to see how they do."

Hoping to help lead their young squad, King will be expecting good things from two-time all-state runner, senior Lizzy Kohlbaker and all-state qualifiers last year, Melinda Mayo and Jenny Blackman, who are both juniors.

"All expect those three, the rest of them are young and I'm just excited to see how they do," said King. "I think we'll have a couple of freshman that could step up and make a name for themselves this year."

Chaffee

CHAFFEE -- Although losing their top three runners from a season ago, the Chaffee cross country team will be faced with a slight rebuilding year in the 2010 season.

Chaffee, who won their conference championship, placed second at districts and finished eighth in the state last year, said goodbye to Luisa Boschan, Sarah Sigman and Liz Schlosser who were all key contributors to their success last season.

"It's kind of a rebuilding year for us," Chaffee head coach Travis Caulkins said. "We have some girls coming back but it's one of those years where there's a wide spectrum of what we could end up doing."

With the absence of those three, Chaffee will be leaning on Randi Wiley, Rachel Rischman, Cassie Hindman, Sierra Miller and Ellie Sigman, all of which have experience not only in cross country but has also ran track under Caulkins.

"I'm very excited," said Caulkins. "I think we can have a good year. We're going to try to contend for our conference and district again this year and hopefully get to state."

Chaffee opens their season on Thursday at Chester High School and will be on the road until their home invitational on Sept. 29.

Scott City

SCOTT CITY -- The Scott City boys cross country team has lofty expectations for the 2010 season.

And rightfully so.

After making a trip to state last year, Scott City returns three of their top seven runners in hopes of another state appearance this season.

"We want to try and make a trip back to state with the boys team," Scott City head coach Travis Schiwitz said.

Looking to lead the Rams will by all-state runner Brandon Shemonia. During the track season, Shemonia dominated most long distance events and placed third in the 3,200-meter run in the Class 2 State Track and Field championships with a time of 9:45.14 and was seventh in the 1,600-meter run.

"I'd say since he ran the mile and the two mile it will help him out quite a bit," said Schiwitz about Shemonia. "He had a really good track season and I'm hoping that will translate over."

Others looking to help out the Rams will be Jessie Sanders, Eric Essner and Luke Keesee after losing staples such as Skylar Cobb, Chris Limbaugh, Landon Robert and Robert Matheny from last season.

Although low numbers may pose a problem for the girls side, one runner will be looked upon to keep the Lady Rams afloat this season.

Melanie Lacey, who placed third in the 3,200-meter run at the Class 2 state tournament last year, will be looked upon as the girls leader.

"With the girls, right now, I hope we have enough for a team score," said Schiwitz. "We're kind of looking for (Melanie) to carry over what she did in track also. She's playing both softball and running cross country so, she's going to be kind of busy.

"But, we're looking for her to kind of lead the girls."

Scott City will get their season underway on Saturday at the Jackson invitational.