A pair of returning state qualifiers will lead the way for the Thomas Jefferson cross country team this fall.
Junior Kip Atteberry is the top returning performer for the Thomas Jefferson boys.
A year ago, Atteberry was the Ozark 7 Conference champion. He took seventh at the district meet and advanced to the Class 1 state cross country meet, finishing 51st.
Sophomore Sarah Mueller will lead Thomas Jefferson’s girls team.
Mueller was the runner-up at the conference meet and placed sixth at the district event. She qualified for the state meet as a freshman, finishing 69th.
Cavaliers coach Clayton Carnahan noted both Atteberry and Mueller are coming off stellar spring track seasons. Both qualified for the state meet.
Atteberry placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4:48.
“Kip broke the school record for the mile three times and is now running consistently with a sub-five minute mile,” Carnahan said.
As far as newcomers, freshman Macie Shifferd is expected to contribute nicely for the TJ girls.
Carnahan noted he’s been pleased with what he’s seen during the preseason.
“This team is more dedicated than ever,” he said. “They are ready to compete and excel. The keys to success are a willingness to push through obstacles and stay level-headed.”
