Published: August 27, 2008 11:56 pm         

Southern Invitational opens local cross country season today

The prep cross country season officially arrives on the local scene today.

At least 12 teams will challenge the course at New River Park in the Southern Invitational.

“I think we’ve got anywhere from 12 to 15 teams coming,” Woodrow Wilson coach Phil Bartram said. “Most of them have indicated that they are coming.”

Along with host Woodrow Wilson, Greenbrier East, Charleston Catholic, Independence, Liberty, Riverside, Richwood, Oak Hill and Shady Spring JV are expected to be in attendance.

The meet begins at 5 p.m. with a middle school event. The high schools take to the 3.1-mile course at 5:30 p.m.

Woodrow returns several good runners this season.

“Girls-wise, we only lost two seniors last year, but we have the nucleus of our team back,” Bartram said. “My top two girls, who qualified for states, are back and are both juniors.”

Rachel Swartz and Haylei Davis lead the Eagles. Joining them will be junior Kayla Bryant and newcomers Kris Lechok, Michelle Oye and Monique Oye.

Seniors Anthony Hancock and Jordan Wooldridge head the Eagles’ boys. Juniors Drew Sauls, Shawn Fox and Steven Smilik will also contribute.

The outlook for the season appears bright for Woodrow.

“I think with hard work and a few more miles put in, the girls have a good chance to be right up there challenging for the regionals,” Bartram said. “I’m not sure about the boys yet. We’ll just have to wait and see after the first two or three meets.”

There is plenty of talent to go around in the local area.

Greenbrier East returns senior Brad Dugan and has another strong runner in Mason Haynes. Ethan Alderman, Zac Larkins, Cody Arbuckle, Nicholas Jerman and David Dotson also competed in the Spartans’ first meet in Marietta. Ohio Saturday.

Sophomore Gabrielle Dugan returns on the girls side for the Spartans. She’ll be pushed by Mary Kellen Curry.

Independence will field a full team in both boys and girls this season.

“I think I have a total of 10 ninth-graders,” Independence coach Ed Gilson said. “We’re going to be young but we’re going to field both teams. That’s the first time in a couple of years that we’ve had a full girls team.”

Senior Ethan Wood is the lone returning state meet qualifier for the Patriots.

Daniel Richards, Tyler Foster, Reed Castanon also return for Independence

Allison Richards is the lone returning female runner for the Patriots.

Oak Hill has a full boys squad this season.

“I’ve got four distance runners and two sprinters,” Oak Hill coach George Smith said. “Those two sprinters are going to give it a shot for me. We’ll see how they are going to do (today).”

Sophomore Scotty Treadway and senior Seth Ledford, who plays soccer as well, are returning runners for the Red Devils.

Senior Albert Garrett has been solid in practice, along with freshman Lucas Gardner. Mike Smith and Gary Massey are first-year competitors for the Devils as well.

“I’ve got four real strong runners,” Smith said. “We’re still waiting to see how the sprinters come along.”

Shady Spring returns senior Ben Nelson and junior Lukas Meadows on the boy’s side, while the girl’s team, which is ranked No. 1 in Class AA-A, is loaded.

Seniors Chelsea Callaway, Emily Osborne, Kelsey Paine and Emily Daniel, along with junior Katie Backus and sophomores Desiree Roseberry and Katie Paine lead the Tigers.

Seniors Skyler McCoy and Michael Sanson return for Webster County this season. McCoy should be a challenger for the state title in Class AA-A

Richwood, which is ranked No. 5 this week in Class AA-A, returns Jesse Hammons (sr.), Derrick Chaffin (jr.), Marcus Madiman (jr.), Charles Bard (so.) and Emmet Rogers (so.), who all ran at the state meet last season.

Juniors Katie Cole and Paige Hacker and sophomore Mackenzie Johnson are the top returning girls for the Lumberjacks.

The PikeView boys are expected to be strong as well. Ranked No. 9 in Class AA-A, Jordan Weitzel (jr.), Josh Easter (sr.), Brent Roark (sr.), Eric Lawson (so.) and Joe Webb (so.) head the squad.

Chelsea East (so.), Trish Galligher (jr.) and Sabrina Slone (sr.) lead the Panthers’ girls.

Liberty should have senior Miranda Daniel returning this season.