The College Heights Christian School boys cross country program had a stellar 2021 campaign.
The Cougars not only captured the Ozark 7 championship, but also advanced their entire squad to the state meet.
Entering the 2022 season, College Heights returns nearly every key performer from last year’s team. With that, the expectations are set high for the reloaded Cougars.
“We are excited to compete this year,” College Heights coach Phillip Jordan said. “There is a bit of uncertainty with the boys, as we have several playing other sports and cross country will be their secondary sport. However, we have talented runners who have experience and understand what it takes to compete at a high level.”
Returning runners for the CHC boys are seniors Derrick McMillan and Corban Thomas, juniors Jace Edwards, Steven Calandro, Caleb Quade and Brayden Youngberg.
At last year’s Ozark 7 Meet, Quade finished third, McMillan was fifth, Edwards finished eighth, Thomas took 10th and Youngberg was 11th.
The Cougars advanced their entire boys squad to state last fall by finishing third at the district meet. Quade (54th) and McMillan (56th) were the top performers at state.
“The strengths of our boys team will be our experience and the understanding of what it takes to compete at a high level,” Jordan noted.
Also of note, the team would have also returned Rolen Sanderson this year, but he is no longer attending CHC.
Newcomers to watch on the boys squad are sophomore Josiah Thomas and freshmen Colton McMillan and Will Porter.
As Jordan noted, many of the Cougars will also be competing in either soccer or football.
“We only have three full time runners, so naturally the biggest question mark will be how will our boys playing other sports stay in shape to run competitive times? The solution is simply these kids putting in the work on their own,” Coach Jordan said. “If they can find the time between sports, academics, and rest then we will have a shot to reach our goals.”
College Heights’ girls also won a conference championship last year and had two athletes advance to state.
College Heights returns senior Jayli Johnson and juniors Madelynn Jordan, Madi Carson and Katie Moss.
Johnson took first at last year’s conference meet, with Carson fifth and Moss 10th. Johnson, a multi-sport standout, placed fifth at the district meet to lead the Cougars. She finished 39th at state. Carson also competed at last year’s state meet.
“On the girls team, we are looking to bounce back after a tough season in 2021,” Coach Jordan said. “We are healthy and have a ton of potential and also hope to be competing for a chance to qualify as a team for state. The strengths of our girls team is our balance and consistency. We have a great balance between our classes and an understanding of working together to make each runner better.”
Newcomers on the girls team are sophomores Kinley Marsh and Marla Anderegg and freshmen Amelia Hagale and Jesalin Bever.
Coach Jordan noted an area of concern is inexperience at the varsity level.
“We will rely on a few runners who haven’t run cross country before or haven’t run at the high school level,” he said. “The regular season will be important to give these girls experience and confidence that they can compete to their potential.”
Coach Jordan said the main key to success for both teams is simple.
“Consistency,” he said. “We have to consistently work, have positive mindsets, and improve throughout the season. Also, we need to develop a firm understanding of what it takes to reach the highest level. I believe both of our teams have a chance to defend their Ozark 7 Conference championships and also will be in position to qualify for the state meet.”
The Cougars are scheduled to begin the season at the SWCCCA Meet in Bolivar on Sept. 3.
