The 2020 season was a monumental one for the Neosho High School cross country program.
For just the third time in school history, Neosho’s boys and girls both sent full teams to the state meet.
“It was a huge deal,” Wildcats coach Emily Abell said, noting 1981 and 1992 were the other years NHS had both squads advance to state.
The state trip was the first for the Neosho boys since 2004 and the girls last took a full squad to state in 2009.
“I was actually on the 2009 team, so it was special to me to have the girls team make it to state for the first time since I was an athlete here,” Abell said.
Neosho’s boys and girls both finished second in the team standings at the district meet to punch their respective tickets to state. At state, the NHS boys took 10th in Class 4, while the girls were 16th.
The season also saw Neosho’s girls finish sixth at the Central Ozark Conference meet, while the boys were eighth in the conference.
After a stellar 2020, the Wildcats will look to keep things rolling in ‘21.
“Since last season was so amazing, we’re just working really hard to chase our goals for this season,” Abell said. “We have been working all summer to put mileage in and get a strong base for the upcoming season. We have the biggest team I’ve had to date at 37 runners and strength in numbers is a positive thing in cross country. And having almost all of my varsity teams come back this season is huge.”
Senior Kaden Cole will lead the way for the Neosho boys squad.
Cole is coming off a breakout junior season that saw him finish fourth at both the conference meet and the Class 4 District 6 meet. Cole finished 14th at last year’s state championships, earning all-state recognition.
Others back with prior varsity experience are seniors Brandon Doyle, Connor Jordon, Bryce Hall and Harry Slinkard, junior Gabe Mabrey and sophomore Carson Newell.
Freshman Corbin Ables is another runner who is competing for a varsity spot. Other seniors are Andrew Watkins, Eric Bebie, Nathan Mayer and Zane Boyer.
Sophomore Riley Kemna and senior Bailey Miller are the top returners for the Neosho girls.
Kemna finished 14th at last year’s conference meet, while Miller was 23rd. At the district event, Kemna and Miller placed fifth and sixth, respectively. At state, Miller was 79th and Kemna took 88th.
The Neosho girls also return juniors Makenna Davis, Jayden Adams, Lakyn Prough and Izzy Mabrey.
Coach Abell noted freshman Chloe Wood could make an impact at the varsity level this fall.
Abell noted the team has been working hard in preparation for the season.
“Focusing on our goals and shifting our mindset from me to team is my biggest push this season,” Abell said. “In the past we’ve had a more individualistic mindset, but now that numbers are growing and our runners are getting stronger, it’s time to shift that focus and start making bigger team goals.”
Neosho isn’t sure if it will be in Class 4 or Class 5 when MSHSAA announces classifications in September.
“We are always on the bubble of Class 4 or Class 5, so we’re patiently waiting to find out where we land this season,” Abell said.
Neosho hosts an invite at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28.
