Cross country teams working hard

Graham Thomas/Herald-Leader Siloam Springs cross country runners, from left, senior Adrienne McGooden, junior Laura Gutierrez and junior Alexis Duffy are three of the Lady Panthers’ top runners for 2014.
Graham Thomas/Herald-Leader Siloam Springs cross country runners, from left, senior Adrienne McGooden, junior Laura Gutierrez and junior Alexis Duffy are three of the Lady Panthers’ top runners for 2014.

There's been no shortage of competition in cross country practice this summer for Siloam Springs, and coach Sharon Jones hopes that will make both the Panthers and Lady Panthers stronger teams by the time the Class 6A state meet rolls around in November.

The cross country team had its first afternoon practice of the season Monday to start acclimating to the heat of the summer after having run in the early mornings since school let out. The team practiced twice a week until the Arkansas Activities Association dead period in June and then practiced three days a week after the dead period. Since the third week of July, the team has been practicing four days a week.

Siloam Springs Panthers & Lady Panthers

2014 cross country schedule

Date Opponent Time

Aug. 30 at Shiloh Christian 8 a.m.

Sept. 6 at Elkins 8 a.m.

Sept. 13 at Springdale Central (JH only) 9 a.m.

Sept. 20 Panther Cross Country Classic 9:30 a.m.

Sept. 27 at Rim Rock (Lawrence, Kan.) TBA

Sept. 27 at Holiday Island (JH and HS-JV) 10 a.m.

Oct. 4 at Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville 11 a.m.

Oct. 11 at Greenwood 9 a.m.

Oct. 18 at Van Buren 9 a.m.

Oct. 21 at Bentonville (JH) TBA

Oct. 28 at 7A JH Conference in Rogers 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 28 at 6A Conference at Russellville TBA

Nov. 8 State Meet in Hot Springs 11 a.m.

Nov. 15 Ark.-Okla. All-Star Meet TBA

Jones said she made the mistake last season in waiting until the first week of school to move practices to the afternoon. It had an impact early in the season when Siloam Springs dropped out of the first meet of the season.

"We just weren't ready for the heat," she said. "We decided to start it this week getting them acclimated while they're still at home and able to get rested and drink plenty of water. Maybe that's a better transition going into the first meet."

The Panthers and Lady Panthers will open the season Aug. 30 at the Shiloh Christian Invitational in Springdale.

Lady Panthers

After back-to-back state runner-up finishes in Class 6A in 2012 and 2013, Jones said this year's group of Lady Panthers might be the best Siloam Springs has had.

"Our girls, I think, are going to be stronger than they've ever been," Jones said.

Siloam Springs returns most of its top runners from a year ago. Sophomore Jasmine Guillen was the Lady Panthers' top runner in the 6A meet as a freshman and earned all-state honors, while junior Alexis Duffy also was all-state. Senior Adrienne McGooden placed in the top 10 at last year's state meet, while sophomore Hannah Herring and junior Laura Gutierrez also ran well.

The Lady Panthers have added a new runner this year in Mary Anne Reid, whom Jones expects to compete for a top spot.

"We looked in the paper and saw that she ran the Dogwood 5K (in April), and she's 15 years old and from Siloam Springs," Jones said of Reid. "She ran faster than some of our girls who ran that race, so the girls recruited her, talked to her and got her running."

Junior Bethany Rodgers and senior Rebekah Hill are also in the mix for the Lady Panthers' top spots.

"I can't say good enough things about those girls," Jones said. "They work hard everyday. They know what's on the line. And they come out and practice focused and ready to go."

A change in this year's classifications also might have a significant impact on the Lady Panthers' season. Siloam Springs will not see two-time defending state champion Lake Hamilton until the 6A state meet on Nov. 8 in Hot Springs. The last two years, the Lady Panthers have competed against Lake Hamilton in the 6A-South Conference meet as well as the state meet. However, Siloam Springs is now in the 6A-East for postseason meets along with Alma, Russellville, Greenwood, Jonesboro, Marion, Mountain Home and Searcy.

"Our girls won't face Lake Hamilton until state this year, which I think is going to be a big boost for their confidence and morale," Jones said. "I know, we're going to win conference and roll right into state with that kind of confidence. I'm excited for that."

Panthers

After back-to-back fourth place finishes at state, Jones said her hope for the boys team is to join the girls team in the top three.

"I would love to have two teams on the podium this year," Jones said. "I honestly think our boys are going to be strong this year."

The Panthers will know what they're up against after the conference meet, which is scheduled for Oct. 28 in Russellville.

"When we go to conference this year the boys will face both Mountain Home and Russellville, who have beaten us the last two years," Jones said. "Conference for them is going to be tough."

The Panthers could be without its top runner Elliott Pearson to start the season because of an injury, but Porter Lasater has been running right there with Pearson, Jones said. Tyler Low is also in the mix, Jones said.

"I'm excited to see how these two (Pearson and Lasater) and Tyler Low will push each other once Elliott is back full speed," Jones said. "Porter and Tyler have both made great strides this summer and both have worked hard to establish themselves as the leader."

Behind those three are Zach Morgan, Eduardo Frias, Eli Hawbaker, Charlie Jones, Enrique Calderon and Luis Andrade along with Austin Cooper, Osvit Balderrama, Grant Carroll, Bobby Norwood, Ethan Rush, Parker Wallis and Chandler Stewart.

Sports on 08/13/2014