New Albany Cross Country

Photo courtesy of Lisa Browning Photography 2020 New Albany Bulldogs Cross Country: Front row left - Lauren Hobson, Ella Tyer, Emma Laney, Abby Laney, Aubrey Cook, Madilyn Coker. Back row left - Nathan Wilson, Jake Moore, Dawson Boyd, Joshua Paul, Isaac Vega, Collin Paul, Trey Roten. Not pictured - Gina Grace Lesley, Katie Favela, Eric Flores.

New Albany putting in work for succ essf ul season

New Albany will be looking to replace their top two runners in boys from 2019 as Thomas Floyd and Jamien Terry have graduated, but Coach Alison Laney is looking for several runners to step up this season.

“I will really be counting on Dawson Boyd and Trey Roten,” Laney said. Dawson is a returning sophomore who is leading our boys.

“He has the most experience and he has a good work ethic. Trey is working hard to close the gap between the two. He is consistent and has a strong desire to improve.”

Laney will be counting on her daughters Emma and Abby to help lead the girls team as Emma will be a senior.

“Emma Laney is our returning girl senior,” Alison said. “Last year was hard on her as she worked through a few injuries. This year she set some goals for herself and has worked hard in the off season. She seems determined to lead our girls’ team.”

Coach Laney sees this as a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs as they also attempt to navigate the COVID-19 issues as well.

“This is going to be a building year for us,” she said. “With only two seniors and a young team, we hope that they can provide the leadership to move us forward.

“The New Albany School District has had a Covid-19 plan in place from very early on that required social distancing, masks, sanitization of equipment. We were fully expecting the requirements over the summer as well as for the beginning of school. We have been implementing distancing and screening with health questions as well as monitoring temperatures.”

All meets offer challenges and opportunities for runners, but New Albany has two in particular that they are focusing according to Laney.

“The races that we expect to see good competition will be TCPS and Pontotoc. These races always have a strong field and are exciting for our runners to race in.”

This is Coach Laney’s third season as head coach of the Bulldogs and she says the x-factor for New Albany is to remain injury free and to put in hard work.