Brian Crigger is the new man in charge of the Carthage High School cross country program.
Crigger is now in his 16th year teaching and coaching in Carthage. He’s been the middle school track and cross country coach and also previously assisted Andy Youngworth at the high school level.
Crigger was a standout distance runner at Parkview High School before competing collegiately at Missouri State.
The Carthage boys, who finished second at last year’s Central Ozark Conference meet, will be led by senior Mariques Strickland, a returning state qualifier.
Strickland was the runner-up at the conference meet, took ninth at the district event and finished 62nd at the Class 5 state meet.
“We expect Mariques to lead the boys team as he is our only returning state qualifier,” Crigger said. “He’s been training with Miguel Solano and Joseph Wyrick this summer and they have all gotten themselves in great shape and should be ready to have a great season.”
Seniors Landen Schrader and Wyrick and junior Solano also return with varsity experience. Solano had a solid track season, as he earned a state medal by placing sixth in the 800-meter run.
Other seniors are Seth Cannon, Robin Hernandez, Joel Pugh, Bryant Arias-Ramirez and Sabriel Thomas.
Others in the mix for the varsity spots are juniors Caleb Fewin and Michael Lanyon, sophomores Eddy Fuentes and Indiana Gray and freshmen Emerson Ixcol and brothers Colt and Dylan Pugh.
“Our boys have been working hard all summer and are ready to begin our competitive season,” Crigger said. “These guys are great at including everyone on the team and having a great team environment. They are excellent young men and it’s been an honor to coach them so far. Our senior leadership is one of our strengths.”
Crigger said the keys to success are simple.
“The key for the boys will be for them to be consistent with their training and to trust the system,” he said. “We have several boys that could potentially make some noise on the state level. In order for our team to compete on the conference and potentially state level, we’ll need our No. 4-7 runners to step up. We just need to make sure we are pushing our new varsity runners to run their best and that our experienced boys are putting in the work and leading the team throughout the season.”
The Carthage girls, who finished eighth at last year’s COC meet, feature three returning varsity performers in sophomore Jenna Wilson and juniors Alyssa Williams and Mildred Elias.
Freshmen Maggie Boyd and Katy Witherspoon are two runners who have impressed Crigger during the summer.
“Jenna, Maggie and Katy have been our leaders during the summer,” he said. “I expect more of the same during the season. Jenna has improved a great deal and is poised to have a breakout season. It’s a lot to ask freshman girls to step straight into leadership roles, but if any two girls can do it, it’s Maggie and Katy.”
Other athletes who could earn varsity spots are Kaylee Reyes-Donis, Jennifer Rodas, Sonia Lopez and Hailey Najera.
“We have a very young group of girls that have a lot of potential to do great things over the next couple of years,” Crigger said. “I was their coach in junior high and they all work very hard and have great attitudes. I’m excited for not only this season, but for the future as well.”
Crigger noted the girls team will be young and inexperienced.
“My goal for the girls team is to continue to train hard, race hard and see what happens,” Crigger said.
The Tigers will attend Joplin’s practice meet on Aug. 28 at South Middle School. The season-opening SWCCC Meet is Sept. 4 in Bolivar, while the Carthage Invitational is slated for Sept. 9.
