Phillip Jordan sees a lot of potential in this year’s College Heights Christian cross country team.
It’s not hard to see why.
College Heights returns state-qualifiers on both squads to go along with a mixture of varsity veterans and promising newcomers.
“Our kids have put in a lot of work in the summer,” Coach Jordan said. “And I can’t wait to see how they progress with daily practices and when we get to compete in meets this fall. I see a lot of potential with both the boys and girls teams.
“I have high expectations for the girls team,” Jordan added. “We’ll look to defend our Ozark 7 Conference championship and should be in the mix to qualify for a team spot at state. We have a very young boys team with only freshmen and sophomores. Our top four runners have a chance to be very solid. Finding a No. 5 runner who can run a competitive time will be important if we are going to have success as a team.”
In 2022, the College Heights girls captured a conference championship and took a full squad to the Class 2 state championships.
Seniors Madelynn Jordan and Madi Carson, junior Marla Anderegg and sophomore Jesalin Bever return with varsity experience.
As a sophomore, Anderegg finished 38th at the state meet after placing 10th at the district meet and second at the conference meet.
“Marla is a part-time runner, as she also plays tennis, but has a natural gift as a runner,” Jordan said. “She is smooth and seems to never get tired. I expect Marla to be our No. 1 or No. 2 runner this year. Once she joins the team full-time in October, she will compete for top conference honors and should compete in the top 5-10 of our district.”
Bever (fourth), Jordan (fifth) and Carson (10th) all earned all-conference honors last year while also gaining state meet experience.
“Jesalin is an athlete,” Jordan said. “She has grit and toughness and I expect her to have a big year. She will compete with Marla for our No. 1 runner position. She had a good freshman year and I expect year two to be even better.
“Madelynn has been consistent and steady over her career. She has put in more time this summer and made improvements that will set her up for a great senior year.
“Madi has also been consistent and has grown in confidence in herself as a runner. I expect Madi to have her best year as she helps lead the girls team.”
Coach Jordan expects sophomore Amelia Hagale to be a key performer this season.
“Amelia also has natural ability but has dealt with injuries so far in her high school career,” Jordan said. “She was unable to compete as a freshman, but with full health she will push to be in our top five.”
Freshmen Lilly Royer and Lily Lackey are other athletes who could contribute at the varsity meets.
“Lilly just transferred from Neosho but appears to be a hard worker and has some natural talent,” Jordan said. “I expect Lilly to compete for a top five position. She will be a great addition to our team. Lily Lackey is a part-time runner for us, also playing volleyball. Lily has been consistent running with the team over the summer and will have to put in extra time on her own to compete for a top five position on our team.”
BOYS OUTLOOK
Senior Steven Calandro and sophomore Colton McMillan return with prior varsity experience for the College Heights boys.
McMillan was the boys team’s lone state-qualifier in ’22.
McMillan took ninth at the Ozark 7 Conference Meet, with Calandro finishing 12th.
“Colton has improved with his offseason training and I expect him to have an even better year than last,” Jordan said. “Steven plays soccer full-time but has a natural gift for running. He is tough and can help our team if he can get in good physical condition through soccer and running on his own.”
Sophomore Will Porter is another possible varsity performer.
“Will has dealt with a knee injury that has held him back, but his effort is always there,” Jordan said. “If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to have a nice year.”
The Cougars will feature several promising newcomers — sophomores Owen Horton and Layden Shaffer and freshmen Connor Jordan, Drew Sawkins and Spencer Jackson.
“Owen is a gifted runner who transferred to CHC from Joplin in February,” Coach Jordan said. “Owen will have a chance to compete with Colton as our No. 1 runner. He is a hard worker and has high expectations for himself. HIs leadership will be key in helping our team have success.
“Layden is a great kid who hasn’t run cross country before,” Jordan said. “He’ll need to continue to push himself to be the best runner he can be.
“Connor was very successful in our junior high program,” Coach Jordan said. “He will compete for our No. 3 spot in the order. If he can improve his toughness, he has the chance to have a nice freshman season.
“Drew is a strong and very tough runner. He has the grit and will to compete with anyone. Drew has become a much-improved runner from his eighth-grade year. I expect Drew to compete with Connor for our No. 3 position.
“Spencer is a full-time soccer player who can help us if he puts time in on his own to get into cross country shape.”
Coach Jordan said he’s confident both squads can have solid seasons.
“Our culture is very strong, the kids enjoy being a part of our team and understand the work that it takes to compete at a high level,” he said. “Our experienced runners have done a good job of leading and teaching our younger kids what it takes to achieve our goals.”
Lack of numbers is a main area of concern for both the CHC girls and boys.
“With only seven or eight runners on each team, if we have any injuries there is nobody behind them to take that spot,” Jordan noted. “The kids must take care of themselves with good health habits and trusting our system to stay healthy so we can compete at a high level.”
With preseason practices underway, Coach Jordan said the keys to success for the Cougars are not complicated.
“Trust the system, continue to buy-in to the culture we have established, and put in the work it takes to have success,” he said.
The College Heights cross country team is scheduled to begin the ’23 season at the SWCCCA Meet in Bolivar on Sept. 2.
