The high school cross country season begins today when Bassett High School hosts the first big meet of the fall season. Both Salem and Glenvar will be in the field for the “Bengal Classic” at the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton.
The Salem boys will have a solid group of returning runners, including seniors Grant Horner, Rick Rawlins and Luke Stovall. Underclassmen are Isaac Snow, Austin Prosser, Thomas Scharp, Bryce Crew, Jack Dixon, Grafton Smith and John Stovall. New to the program are Preston Espinet, Matt Palleria, Beckett Miller, Colin Hutchison, Gaven Horner and Luke Rawlins.
“Last year we were a young team with no seniors in the top seven,” said Salem boys coach Tom Roth. “The team placed seventh out of 14 schools in the regional meet. Our goal is to improve on our team position and to have individual qualifiers.”
The Salem girls are led by returning seniors Hannah Patel and Chloe Underwood, juniors Ashlyn Davis, Harper Rocovich, and Ashley Toapanta and sophomore Caroline Huff. Newcomers include senior Madesyn Grubb, juniors Jeane Hinson and Kaylyn Ross, sophomores Izzy Henzey and Keeley Prosser and freshmen Olivia Huff.
“We have set a goal to try to qualify a team for the state meet, but lots of work to be done,” said SHS girls’ coach Elliott Petry.
Glenvar has a new coach as James Osborne takes over the team. He ran at Christiansburg High School on some very good teams in high school.
“As a dedicated runner for Christiansburg High School, I was part of a formidable cross-country program that secured three state championships and one runner-up finish,” he said. “Transitioning from athlete to coach, I began my coaching career in 2015 at Auburn High School, where the boys’ team won its first state championship. I then gained valuable experience as an assistant coach for two years at Blacksburg High School before taking on a head coaching role at Eastern Montgomery High School from 2018 to 2022.
After a season as head coach at Chilhowie High School in 2023 Osborne returned to Eastern Montgomery last year, where the boys’ team achieved an impressive Class 1 state runner-up..
This year’s Glenvar boys’ team will have six of the top seven runners returning except for Bryce Austin, who transferred to North Cross after the season. Tyler Davis and Aldin Smith lead the team this year. Tyler finished second in the district, third in regions, and top 15 in states. Aldin finished fourth in the districts and sixth in the region. Zachary Davis will be a newcomer to watch this year.
The girls’ team returns Anna Hall, Everly Shanks, and Rayya Bryson. Sophomores Genna Shanks, Annaleigh Hall, and Kamryn Hill figure to help.
Joining Osborne on the coaching staff will be Rachel Millirons, who ran for Glenvar High School and placed in the top 10 multiple times in the state meet.
“This is her first-year coaching, but she is already making a huge impact on the team,” said Osborne.
