STAT E
Q UA L I F I E R S
9
Y E A R S
I N
A
R OW
Coaches: Kevin Weatherill and Michael Floyd The 2010 Montgomery Academy cross country team had yet another successful season, qualifying for the state championship for the ninth consecutive year. Though relatively young, both the boys’ and girls’ teams remained highly competitive in the city, region, and state, thanks to the leadership of seniors Tucker Helms, Davis Hudson, juniors Bentley Hudson and Haley Parco, and sophomore Krisie Stakely. The MA harriers began their training in June, starting with runs ranging from 20-40 minutes (roughly 3-6 miles). During this time, the team said goodbye to departing coach Ashley Akins and welcomed Coach Michael Floyd. In August, the girls’ team ventured to North Alabama with volunteer coach Stacey Stakely for a week of camp with several other schools from around the state. With twice daily training sessions and ample time for bonding, the girls’ returned determined to defend their state titles of 2008 and 2009. Official practice started the second week of August with the return of Coach Kevin Weatherill and the teams’ first time trial. Much to everyone’s agreement, the time trial proved indicative of the team’s preparation, with the majority of runners meeting the goals outlined before summer training began. MA hosted the CCC Opener where the girls continued their five-year CCC undefeated streak with a decisive win over LAMP. Recently, the cross country have had the benefit of traveling out of the region for select competitions. In 2009, the team traveled to the Manhattan Invitational in New York City. In 2010, the
team traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas to run in the Chilipepper Invitational at the University of Arkansas. Other meets included: Chickasaw Trails at Oakville Indian Mounds, Chattanooga XC Festival at Chickamauga Dam, Jesse Owens Classic at Oakville Indian Mounds, CCC Championship at Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, Husky Challenge at Hewitt Trussville Middle School, Sectionals at Kiesel Park in Auburn. For the tenth straight year, the State Championship meet brought the Eagles back to Oakville Indian Mounds in Moulton. Both the girls’ and boys’ team gave a valiant effort to hold their third place seeding going into the meet. The boys team loses two of its most valued runners in Tucker Helms and Davis Hudson, but it’s because of their leadership there is much anticipation for the developing talent which has the capability of keeping the guys on top. The girls’ team, though challenged by a series of season-ending injuries to Drake and Margaret McGowin and ninth grader Claire Rickard, does not lose any runners to graduation. Certainly the continued development of the Upper School runners and early success of Middle School runners, along with a renewed excitement to recruit even more student-athletes, leaves the girls’ team with much to look forward to in 2011.
Visions - Winter 2011 15