PAGE 16 > FALL FOOTBALL & SPORTS PREVIEW > August 30, 2012 > douglas CouNTY
ourcoloradonews.com
Cross country runners head into new season
By Scott Stocker
sports@ourcoloradonews.com
There are still a lot of questions and concerns to be considered by Elizabeth cross country coach Alan Small. The Cardinals struggled a bit last season, but those days could be over as the 2012 campaign gets underway. “We’ve got a solid returning bunch
here and I think we have a shot at making it to state as a team,” Small said. “The kids are feeling pretty determined. We were just two spots away from making it as a team last season with the girls. We’re young, with a lot of juniors, but the boys are feeling pretty confident about the season, too.” Leading the way for the boys will be junior Gus Terry, who just missed qualifying
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for the 3A state meet. “I’m excited and certainly feel a lot stronger this year,” Terry said. “I think I can get in the low 16-minutes.” Others to keep a eye on for the Elizabeth boys will be the lone senior Willis Scott and junior Zach Rodriquez. Yet there is ample talent available this season from the likes of Gave Houston, Brandon John, Jake Thompson and Jake Vanderlinden. Senior Lea Smith was the highest finisher for the Elizabeth girls in last year’s state meet at 94th, but as of this writing, Small is not sure she will be coming out. That being the case, Small looks to junior Rebekah Baird to show leadership. “Rebekah is such a hard worker and she is providing a lot of leadership for the team this year,” Small said. “You have to love her motivation.” And Baird has good thoughts coming into the campaign. “I just like to work hard and do well,” Baird said. “The goal is to keep focused on what I need to do, individually and for the team. I know the times vary on the courses and a key is just trying to know what each course can be like.” While Smith may not be on the horizon the Cardinals also have a couple of outstanding freshmen girls coming in who Small feels can make an immediate impact. One is Small’s daughter, Cori, the other Krista Dodd. The head coach also looks for substantial contributions from sophomores Kayla Prairo, also in her first season,
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and Caya Baher, who is coming over for Elbert. She, too, is a newcomer to cross country. “I think we’re going to have a big boost from all the girls,” Small said. “The expectations are high and should remain like that for the season.”
Kiowa Coach Jill Miller enters her 10th season at Kiowa and with such a small school overall, is short on numbers. Only a total of seven boys and girls were expected prior to the opening days of practice. Leading the way for the girls will be junior Beth Campbell, who finished 33rd at state last season. She will be joined by senior Mallory Patterson, who just missed her trip to state by one place, and Elbert sophomore Hanna Maben. Elbert does not have its’ own team. “Beth is a monster,” Miller said. “She is really just learning the sport as last year was her first in cross country. She has the physical attributes and trains with the boys all the time.” Campbell, no doubt, is ready to go. “I think we’re going to have an amazing year as we have some fine runners,” Campbell said. “We ran a 5K race last Saturday (August 18) and each of our girls and boys in the competition finished in the top 10. Sophomore Andrew Van and senior Shawn Walcott are the top prospects for Kiowa among the boys.
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