Three Shelby County athletes competed in cross country semistates in 2020. Two return as standouts in the local running scene.
Triton Central’s Hallie Schweitzer and Shelbyville’s Stefanie Howard will lead their respective teams and attempt to move into the top 100 at semistate this season.
Southwestern’s Kirk Van Gorden graduated as the only other cross country semistate qualifier in 2020.
Here is a look at the five cross country programs in Shelby County.
SHELBYVILLE
Howard (photo above) placed 156th at the Shelbyville Semistate on her home course at Blue River Memorial Park.
Also returning to head coach Whitney Campbell’s lineup is Kaila Brattain, who dropped significant time last season and followed that with a strong track and field season.
Greenwood transfer Kaylie McDonald and returning sophomore Angel Kreider add depth to the Shelbyville lineup.
Michael Fox, Elijah Von Werder and Tristin Maloney are the experienced leaders in the boys program and regional track and field qualifier Beau Kenkel joins the program to form a strong quartet to build around.
“Both groups talked at camp and want to make regionals as a team,” said Campbell. “I think both have a shot.”
TRITON CENTRAL
Hallie Schweitzer (photo) was Shelby County’s top representative at the semistate round of competition in 2020, finishing 124th at the Shelbyville Semistate.
Following a knee injury suffered during her freshman season of basketball, Schweitzer only ran cross country in 2020 as a sophomore. She has returned to the volleyball program in 2021 and will split competitions with cross country.
“I think that might take a toll on her but the knee injury is fine,” said Triton Central cross country coach Eric Fink.
TC’s girls program has just two competitors – Schweitzer and fellow junior Brooke Bear.
“She is a hard worker,” said Fink of Bear. “We saw a lot of improvement during the track season where she improved in the (1,600) and the 800. I think we will see her set personal records this year and start placing higher in meets.”
Three seniors, one junior and one freshman make up TC’s boys cross country program.
Senior Owen Sprinkle has been a regional qualifier the last two years.
“Owen has a lot of goals,” said Fink. “He wants to be county champion and he wants to get to semistate. And he is sixth all-time (in the program) and wants to be top five.”
Sprinkle’s success could come with senior Lucas Bear pushing him.
“I saw a lot of improvement in cross country and on to the track season,” said Fink of Bear.
Corbin Maurice is the third senior and is joined by junior Hank Hadler and freshman Elizijuh Israel.
MORRISTOWN
Elaine Goble-Carlton has just seven runners total in the Morristown program this season – and five are seniors.
“They are all like brothers and sisters,” said Goble-Carlton, now in her 21st year with the program. “They definitely have a good time and work hard together.”
All four boys are seniors, led by Zavier Poole and T.J. Butcher – both four year members.
Senior Brayden Burris is in his third season while senior Sam McDaniel is new to the program.
On the girls side, senior Ashtyn Marcum is in her third year of cross country. She will be joined by first-timer Oakleigh Goedde, a junior, and freshman Grace McLaughlin, who ran for the junior high program in 2020.
SOUTHWESTERN
Head coach Chris Ingels has five runners in each program but he is searching the school for more.
“I am definitely still trying to recruit a couple runners,” he said.
Dane Kissell is the top returning runner in the boys program. The junior will be joined by seniors Ryan Griffin and Elias Clark.
“Ryan has put in the most miles of anybody through the track season and this summer,” said Ingels.
Sophomores Koty Claiborne and Collin Cummings complete the squad.
Seniors Gracie Schlabach and Jenna Drake lead the girls program with Drake working hard to improve her times.
“She has the most miles of anybody in the program,” said Ingels. “I think she will be much improved.”
Lilly Rooks, a junior, and sophomore Maxine Higdon fill out the roster along with Idaho move-in Malori Pike.
“Both teams should be pretty solid by the time the county (meet) and conference (meet) roll around,” said Ingels.
WALDRON
Head coach D.J. Higdon has the county’s largest program – 16 total athletes – and there is youth to build on.
Nine Mohawks will vie for spots in the boys lineup led by senior Caden Sheaffer. Junior Ethan Richardson should be in the mix consistently with freshmen Will Larrison, Jared Cosby, Nathaniel Evans and Skylar Ferguson and sophomore Kyle Lacy battling for positions.
New to the program are senior Josh Lugo and junior Jimmy Taylor.
Higdon’s girls program is topped by veterans Cheyenne Lozier, Hadlie Ross and Hallie Ross.
Sophomore Audrey Hogg returns and is joined by newcomers Selena Camposano, Riley Price and Sophie Hudnall.
