Cross country teams ready to run

By JARED MACARIN

jaredm@nwfdailynews.com

Having a standout performer to lead your team is one thing.

It’s even better if your top performer is constantly being challenged by teammates in practice.

It’s a spot numerous cross country teams in the area find themselves in as the season opens today. Niceville’s girls are one such team, and coach Sherman Eller loves the prospects of his runners facing just as much competition in practice as they will in high-end meets.

“The competition is very strong and I am real pleased with that,” he said. “We’re excited.”

He has reason to be excited. Two-time Daily News Runner of the Year Chanelle Cox is back at the top spot, while state placers Morgan Keel and Ashley Calhoun are also back. Gone is Kristy Cooper, who placed sixth at state and is now at South Florida. But in steps Lauren Eshbach, who has been a standout in middle school the past few years.

The Eagles, who finished fourth at the Class 4A state meet last year, are ranked ninth as a team by flrunners.com. Cox is ranked as the No. 4 runner in the state.

Eller is confident in the ability of those four, but is still looking for one more.

“We’re still looking for that fifth girl,” he said. “The first four should be very strong. (The fifth runner) is going to be the link that takes us to state and how we do there.”

Another team facing the good problem of being top-heavy in runners is Fort Walton Beach. The Vikings return the seven runners they took to the Class 3A state meet, plus welcome back Julia Uthmeier. Uthmeier was one of the team’s top runners before suffering an injury late in the season. Fort Walton Beach is ranked 10th as a team, with Erin Gallagher (23rd) and Iolani Scanlan (26th) being ranked among the state’s best individuals. The Vikings placed ninth at the state meet last year.

“It’s a great feeling,” Vikings coach Lissette Moller said of the team’s depth. “It’s a coach’s dream. When you have that kind of group that is so close, the training becomes easier and they all improve. It makes them all better.”

Choctawhatchee’s girls, led by Amber Barbaresi and Tiana Rodriguez, are ranked 17th in the state by flrunners.com. Both Barbaresi and Rodriguez finished in the top-20 at the Region 1-3A meet and were the Indians’ top two runners at state.

Also, South Walton’s Julie Williamson, Lauren Day of Crestview and Shelby Rushing of Walton went to state last year as individuals and are aiming for a return trip.

On the boys’ side, Navarre looks to be at the head of the class with a strong returning group.

The Raiders, led by Hunter Boykin, Hamilton Boykin and Zak Boston, are ranked second as a team. Both of the Boykins and Boston are also ranked among the top 15 runners. Daniel Crotty, Chase Day and Casey and Callen Nation also are back as the Raiders return their top 20 runners.

Last season, Navarre was eighth as a team. Boston was the highest placer at state, finishing 16th.

Choctawhatchee’s boys are listed as a team to watch in Class 3A, and are led by state placers Adam Hambleton, Mykal Bailey and Matthew Bell. Niceville’s boys are listed as a team to watch in Class 4A, led by senior transfer Loring Ross. The Eagles also return the majority of their top runners from a year ago, including Tom Reho and Dylan Schroeder.

In Class 1A, Wells and Austin Buzzett are back to lead South Walton. The Seahawks placed 10th as a team last year.

Niceville

Coach: Sherman Eller

District: 1-4A

District opponents: Bartram Trail, Buchholz, DeLand, Deltona, Flagler Palm Coast, Fletcher, lake Mary, Lyman, Hagerty, Mandarin, Orange Park, Oviedo, Pine Ridge, Sandalwood, Seminole, Spruce Creek, Winter Springs

Returning athletes: Boys: Tom Reho, Dylan Schroeder, Mychal McLean, Christian Ritacco, Max Livingston, Michael Cooper, Danny Cooper. Girls: Chanelle Cox, Haley Hendrix, Ashley Calhoun, Morgan Keel, Rachel Herring

Others to watch: Boys: Loring Ross, Phillip Fralix, Patrick LaCombe. Girls: Lauren Eshbach

Athletes lost: Boys: none. Girls: Kristy Cooper, Caitlin Bernier, Meagan Ritacco.

Fort Walton Beach

Coach: Lissette Moller (girls); Jeff Fields (boys)

District: 1-3A

District opponents: Choctawhatchee, Crestview, Navarre, Bay, Chiles, Escambia, Leon, Lincoln, Milton, Mosley, Pace, Rutherford, Tate, Washington

Returning athletes: Boys: Kyle Schenthal, Joel Birlingmair, Ben Chastain, Caise Vickery, Adrian DeMoya, Cody Skarupa, Matt Bevil, Kevin DeMoya. Girls: Julia Uthmeier, Ashley Birdgford, Kristin Homer, Sydney Sailors, Samantha Brady, Erin Gallagher, Bailey Shawbitz, Brianna Fredrick, Jessie Niemiec, Iolani Scanlan, Lizzy Gallagher, Gwen Fuller, Phoenix Callahan

Others to watch: Boys: Sam Ammons, Christian Moore, Jake Dearman. Girls: Sarah DeVaux, Melissa Radford, Amanda Radford, Briana DeGennaro

Athletes lost: Boys: Sean Balzer, Mike Niemiec

Choctawhatchee

Coach: Craig Henry

District: 1-3A

District opponents: Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Navarre, Bay, Chiles, Escambia, Leon, Lincoln, Milton, Mosley, Pace, Rutherford, Tate, Washington

Returning athletes: Boys: Chris Elkins, Adam Hambleton, Matthew Bell, Jordan Taylor, Craig Anderson, Levi Weigard, Mykal Bailey, Je Hong Yoo, Taylor Gary, Tim Maney, Aric Hall. Girls: Amber Barbaresi, Allison Silsbee, Brittany Uhal, Bridget Cogley, Tiana Rodriguez.

Others to watch: Boys: Michael Sinkey.

Athletes lost: Boys: Tyler Hall, Kyle Van Zile, J.R. Castro, Taylor McSheehy, Alan Davis, Steven Curtis. Girls: Natalie Rodriguez.

Crestview

Coach: Katie Fitchett

District: 1-3A

District opponents: Choctawhatchee, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre, Bay, Chiles, Escambia, Leon, Lincoln, Milton, Mosley, Pace, Rutherford, Tate, Washington

Returning athletes: Boys: Jacob Gourlie, John Wood, Eric Smith, Mitch Petoskey, Angelo Fajardo, Cody Dreaden. Girls: Lauren Day, Sabrina King.

Others to watch: Boys: Chase Downing, Jacob Miller, Dylan Brown, Taylor Polk.

Athletes lost: Boys: Joe Doyle. Girls: Christy Wood, Samantha Gourlie.

Navarre

Coach: Tom Lintz (boys)

District: 1-3A

District opponents: Choctawhatchee, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Bay, Chiles, Escambia, Leon, Lincoln, Milton, Mosley, Pace, Rutherford, Tate, Washington

Returning athletes: Boys: Daniel Anderson, Zak Boston, Hamilton Boykin, Hunter Boykin, Daniel Crotty, Chase Day, Vini Febus, Anthony Herman, Geno Hill, Taylor Johnson, Jordan Lanter, Dustin Longhenry, Kyle Massingill, Conner McMullen, Casey Nation, Callen Nation, James Patterson, Joseph Randall, Keton Sweat, John Syzdek, Ryan Tucker, Donovan Wilkes

Others to watch: Boys: Justice Cox, Cody Haden, Robert Mann, Seth Nydam.

Athletes lost: Boys: none

Walton

Coach: Charles Paulk

District: 1-2A

District opponents: Arnold, east Gadsden, Florida High, Godby, Gulf Breeze, Madison County, Marianna, Northview, Pensacola, Pensacola Catholic, Rickards, Suwannee, West Florida, Wakulla

Returning athletes: Boys: Daniel King, Mikael Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes. Girls: Shelby Rushing, Joan-Ann Wilson, Katlyn Dorriety, Andrea Skerbecki.

Athletes lost: Boys: Vincent Roehr, Stephen Harris. Girls: Kayla Glidewell.

South Walton

Coach: Danny Blain

District: 1-A

District opponents: Baker, Laurel Hill, Freeport, Rocky Bayou, Paxton, Bozeman, Central, East Hill, Franklin County, Jay, John Paul II, Maclay, North Florida Christian, Pensacola Christian, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka

Returning athletes: Boys: Austin Buzzett, Wells Buzzett, Mike McManus. Girls: Julie Williamson, Malorie Leach, Brooke Terry.

Others to watch: Boys: C.J. Atwell, Gustavo Alvarez, Ryan Furey, Cody Ficarra, Will Dargavell, Josh Davis, Hall Hartley, Navindu Vijesinghe, Daniel Rosenheim, Trevor Morris, Trezmun Linville. Girls: Katherine Register, Jessica Taylor, Julia Campbell,, Kendall Brown, Jordan Keeter, Whitney Smith, Allie Wright.

Athletes lost: Boys: Drew Taylor, Craig Dermody, Christian Mayes

Freeport

Coach: David Burke

District: 1-A

District opponents: Baker, Laurel Hill, South Walton, Rocky Bayou, Paxton, Bozeman, Central, East Hill, Franklin County, Jay, John Paul II, Maclay, North Florida Christian, Pensacola Christian, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka

Returning athletes: Boys: Jamey Goddin, Aaron Knight, Logan Wilburn, Johnny McCormick.

Others to watch: Boys: Chase Martin, Alex Newkirk, Dalton Morrison.

Athletes lost: Boys: Travis Wilburn, Brandon Woodard.

Baker

Coach: Gary Taylor

District: 1-A

District opponents: South Walton, Laurel Hill, Freeport, Rocky Bayou, Paxton, Bozeman, Central, East Hill, Franklin County, Jay, John Paul II, Maclay, North Florida Christian, Pensacola Christian, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka

Returning athletes: Boys: Chad Lawhon, Zach Baxter, Ned Babbitt, Brandon Ates, Dewight Fisher. Girls: Cassie Cooper, Erin Grundel.

Others to watch: Boys: Phillip Hills, Brandon Henderson, D.J. Livingston, Dylan Scott, Landis Mathis. Girls: Jessica Gilmore, Myriah Walker.

Rocky Bayou

Coach: Mike Warren

District: 1-A

District opponents: Baker, Laurel Hill, Freeport, South Walton, Paxton, Bozeman, Central, East Hill, Franklin County, Jay, John Paul II, Maclay, North Florida Christian, Pensacola Christian, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka

Returning athletes: Girls: Korie Schaeffler, Holly Stanton, Brittany Tiller, Whitney Denney, Melissa Molyneux.

Others to watch: Girls: Elizabeth Berry, Christy Allen, Jane Ellen Brown, Katie Brown, Katrina Jammer, Mariah Jammer, Brittany Burton.

Athletes lost: Girls: none.

Paxton

Coach: Jackie Adams

District: 1-A

District opponents: Baker, Laurel Hill, Freeport, Rocky Bayou, South Walton, Bozeman, Central, East Hill, Franklin County, Jay, John Paul II, Maclay, North Florida Christian, Pensacola Christian, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka

Returning athletes: Boys: Andrew Barrineau, Jackson Dixon, Jason Findley, Ethan Fink, Dan Geoghagan, Chaze Russell, Michael Price. Girls: Erin Walker, Lille Dixon

Others to watch: Boys: Adrian Castillo, Ethan Cook, Jesse Crawford, Brandon Garrett, Tyler Honish, Shaq Jackson, Ryan Lewellan, Josh McLaney, Trevor Zorn. Girls: Magen Adams, Krysten Cuchens, Laura Ashley Anderson, Aubrey Anderson, Maryllyn Gilbert, Emmalee Infinger.

Athletes lost: Boys: Austin Arnold, Geoffrey Griffin. Girls: Sarah Dixon.

NOTE: Laurel Hill and Navarre’s girls did not return questionnaires.