Improving Ridgeland squad hoping to suprise
It’s been something of a long process, but the past few seasons have seen the Ridgeland High School cross country team take some big steps.
Now it’s time for the Panthers to start enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Bo Tinney has taken over as the team’s new head coach and he says he has seen plenty of encouraging things from the boys’ team and the girls’ team so far this fall.
“So far we’re looking good,” he explained. “Our top guys are really running in tight groupings (in practice), which means they are finishing closer together instead of such a far spread from the front to the back. It’s encouraging to see those guys step it up.
“And we have a full girls’ team this year that we’re really excited about. It’s the first full girls’ team we’ve had at Ridgeland in a really long time, so there are a lot of positives so far.”
The Panthers will just have one senior on the roster in veteran Coby Voyles. A starter and one of Ridgeland’s top runners the past three seasons, Voyles finished 16th in last year’s Region 6-AAAA meet with a time of 18:32.
Among those back in the fold are juniors Bode Tucker, Eliot Jones and Gabe Ashley. Tinney said Tucker has been a big surprise so far this season and he praised the leadership and spirit of Jones. Ashley is rounding back into the form that made him last year’s Walker County Male Cross Country Runner of the Year for a second straight season. He was sixth at the region meet with a 17:33 and earned an individual bid to state.
Sophomores Will Voyles and Dakota Dehart are making strides in their second seasons, while a pair of freshmen in Beau Baker and A.J. Walker is looking to crash the varsity lineup.
The Lady Panthers will also have just one senior in first-year runner Cayla Coleman, whose effort and determination have already drawn praise from her coaches. The junior class includes Nicole Payne, Abbie Morgan, Katie Taylor, Emma Carter and Marina Mosgrove, the only returner from 2016.
Other names to know include sophomore De’Andrea Barnett and another sophomore in Sarah Williams, who also plays on the school’s volleyball team. Tinney said to also keep an eye out for promising freshman Macie Boren.
Mandi Dean will help out as the team’s primary assistant coach.
“For the guys, our goal is to get to state,” Tinney said. “I think we have a really good chance of competing to get to state this year. We just have to see consistent growth from here until the end of the year.
“For the girls, it’s really just to build on what we are establishing by having a full team. We want the same amount of girls, or more, to come out next year, build a (cross country) community here and we want them to enjoy themselves. We want to make this one of the most enjoyable sports (to participate in) at Ridgeland.
“These kids are really fun to be around. They are great competitors and a lot of fun. It’s quickly becoming a family out here.”