The McAuley Catholic cross country program will look to take the next step forward in Andy Youngworth’s second season at the helm.
The Warriors appear poised to pull off that goal, as Youngworth noted he’s already seen improvements from this time a year ago, including more numbers out for the sport and more dedication to training.
“We had a great summer of off-season conditioning,” Youngworth said. “The kids are anxious to improve upon last season’s performance, and for the most part were very committed each and every day. Most kids ran on their own when we did not meet and that’s a huge factor as we try to build a distance running culture at McAuley Catholic. We do a lot of activities away from running that help cement the bond within the team. In the end, it helps if they like each other, get along and create connections that will remain for years to come.”
Youngworth, who is in his 29th year of coaching overall, noted there’s plenty of optimism surrounding the program as the 2022 season arrives.
“We have a great staff and very supportive parents who have really bought into what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “Darbi Stancell returns as the head coach for the middle school and has 30-plus years of experience. We added Chris Moreno to the staff. He’s a longtime AAU track and field and cross country coach who also has almost 30 years of experience.”
BOYS OUTLOOK
McAuley returns six runners with prior varsity experience, including a pair of state qualifiers.
Sophomore Michael Parrigon is coming off a standout freshman campaign. In 2021, Parrigon was the runner-up at the Ozark 7 Conference Meet, finished 10th at the district meet and placed 38th at the state championships.
Senior Phillip Motazedi also returns after a solid ’21 season. Like Parrigon, Motazedi earned all-conference and all-district honors. He was seventh at the conference event and 12th in the district race before finishing 65th at state.
Seniors Kable Reichardt and Drew Zeb and sophomores Grant Horinek and Cliff Nolan also return after gaining experience on last year’s squad.
“Our three returning seniors (Motazedi, Reichardt and Zeb) have run together since they were freshmen and have done a great job in providing leadership,” Youngworth said. “Six of our returners ran on the varsity at some point last season and that experience will be a great asset as the season progresses.”
Newcomers to the program include senior Joe Staton and freshmen Alex Bohachick, Connor Taffner and Trae Veer.
“All 10 runners have a chance to contribute this fall, and the competition to be in the top seven will be something that will only make us better,” Youngworth said.
Youngworth added that this year’s team goals are simple.
“We want to be a competitive team at the meets we attend, compete for a conference championship, qualify as many individuals as we can to the state meet and see everyone improve as a runner and as a person,” he said.
So what are the keys to accomplishing those goals?
“We have four seniors and they’re key to our success,” Youngworth said. “College Heights is the defending conference champion, and we have our work cut out for us as we try to attain that goal. They’re well-coached and have several of their top runners back for this season. It will be important to continue to focus on team goals over individual goals as the season progresses. We need all 10 guys to be invested in the long-range plans. No season is perfect. We’ll need to overcome injuries, illnesses and our depth will help with that. We need to continue to work hard and stay happy and healthy as we transition from our preseason training to the competitive season.”
GIRLS OUTLOOK
Once again leading the way for the McAuley girls will be Kendall Ramsey.
Ramsey is already a two-time state qualifier ahead of her junior season. In 2021, Ramsey was the conference runner-up, took eighth at the district race and finished 37th at the state meet with a time of 22:32.
“Kendall Ramsey brings experience and confidence to the team and she’s done a great job teaching the newcomers how to be a Lady Warrior cross country runner,” Youngworth said.
The Warriors have five newcomers on this year’s girls roster—junior Miriam Kramer, sophomores Genevieve Billings and Marbellie Villanueva and freshmen Samantha Perrin and Brooke Righter.
“For the first time in school history, McAuley Catholic hopes to field a full girls team,” Youngworth said. “We have several newcomers who have little or no running experience, so this will be a work in progress. That said, the new girls have had great attitudes and are beginning to understand what cross country is all about.”
With so many newcomers to the sport, the Warriors may not field a full girls team until the end of the season.
“We’ll bring the team around slowly, making sure that each of our girls are able to achieve their goals,” Youngworth noted. “We’re trying to lay a solid foundation for the future, and always focus on attaining short term goals.
“Our inexperience is the main concern, but to be honest, it is a good problem to have at this stage of the program we are trying to build,” Youngworth added. “It’s great seeing this group become more confident each day as they work to achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves and the team.”
Youngworth also mentioned the team’s keys to success.
“Just continuing to work hard and stay happy and healthy as we transition from our pre-season training to the competitive season,” he said. “A couple of the girls play volleyball, so it’s important to be able to juggle two sports and classwork in the best way possible.”
The Warriors will run at Neosho’s warm-up meet on Aug. 27. The team will compete at the SWCCCA Invitational in Bolivar on Sept. 3.
