In the long run : Fayetteville cross country teams contend with low numbers
Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008
ANTHONY REYES Northwest Arkansas Times The Fayetteville High School boys and girls varsity teams take off for their workout Friday from the school campus in Fayetteville.
The physical courage requisite for cross country dissuades many from participating, and other extracurricular activities have siphoned off some of the few who have the stomach for the monotonous grind of training and competition.
Such is the plight at Fayetteville High, where the interest in cross country is at its low ebb. A boys squad that numbered 20 last year has been pared to 10 harriers. The team would’ve had fewer than 10 members and no seniors if Ryan Martin hadn’t quit football to take up running. Pennsylvania move-in Sean Salazar materialized before the start of school to give the Bulldogs their second senior.
The Lady Bulldogs’ numbers are even more meager. After having only seven runners last year, they’ll be down to six when they open the season Sept. 13 at the Elkins Invitational.
Senior Kira Plummer is one of the team’s top-5 finishers from last year’s state meet. She was the third Lady Bulldog across the line at Hot Springs’ Oaklawn Park and the 25 th runner overall (20: 47. 41 ). Fayetteville finished third behind Rogers and Bentonville.
“ We haven’t been in this situation in a long, long time, ” said Kelly O’Meara, Fayetteville’s venerable cross country coach who’s recently retired but still coaches the girls squad. “ We had as many girls decide not to come out from last year’s team or that came out for the first time and dropped out after a day or two than what’s happened to us in a long time.
“ And it’s been for all different reasons, either too much on the plate, physically not capable of doing it, loss of interest. Just a number of reasons. I know everybody had a good experience last year. ”
Boys coach Kevin Thomas said dwindling cross country numbers aren’t peculiar to Fayetteville. It’s a trend seen statewide.
“ Especially at a school like Fayetteville where they have so many opportunities to do other things, ” Thomas said. “ The kids either try to do so much or they narrow their sights on other things. You can look across the whole state, except for Rogers, and it’s not a popular sport. ”
Those who are game for the rigors of cross country apply the same dedication in the classroom, Thomas said. Being academically inclined is a trait inherent to all harriers.
“ We always have the smart kids, ” Thomas said. “ The kids who have no trouble with grades. These guys put in the work and are consistent with it. The only way to get better at running is to run more. It’s the same kind of kid who does his homework every night. ”
Junior Austin Simpkins has given due diligence to his individual work over the summer. A year after a bout of mononucleosis idled him for the state meet, a taxing training regimen has made him stronger. Thomas said Simpkins will be the Bulldogs’ main contributor.
Sophomore Drew Storment and junior Abe Coffin are the lone Bulldogs with state-meet experience. Storment was the fourth Bulldog across the finish line last fall at Oaklawn Park. He finished 39 th overall (17: 48. 81 ) for sixth-place Fayetteville.
Thomas said deciding who will emerge as Fayetteville’s fifth runner is a “ crap shoot. ” A half-dozen or so runners have trained together all summer in preparation for the season.
“ They get together and put in about 20 or so miles every week, ” Thomas said. “ They have high expectations, but they haven’t raced a whole lot. ”
In addition to Plummer, O’Meara said the Lady Bulldogs have three other runners who are comparable to any opponent’s top performers. Senior Carmen Cheadle was in and out of Fayetteville’s top five last year. She finished fifth for the Lady Bulldogs and 28 th overall (21: 03. 19 ) last year in the state meet.
Kate Bucknam, the daughter of new University of Arkansas women’s cross country coach Chris Bucknam, was a welcome addition. O’Meara said she’s fit enough to be one of the team’s top four runners.
Sophomore Maggie Pickhardt is an accomplished triathlete. O’Meara said her stamina and improved form will make her a valuable contributor.
With only six runners, all the Lady Bulldogs have to summon strong performances if they hope to cross the finish line in good order.
“ It’s going to be scary at meets, ” O’Meara said. “ If we have an injury, an illness or somebody flops at a meet, we may not get five across the line. Right now we have four experienced runners. I really hate to put the pressure on the fifth and sixth girl to have to be there. ”
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