Cross country: Lion Gonzalez aims for state repeat, Campbell embarks on maiden voyage

Senath-Hornersville's Ricardo Gonzalez was the lone Dunklin County representative at the Missouri State High School Activities Association state meet last year.

On a blustery day at Gans Creek Recreational Area in Columbia last November, Gonzalez placed 102nd in a time of 19:13.2 in the Class 2 boys contest.

This year, Campbell joins Senath-Hornersville and Kennett as Dunklin County schools to offer cross country.

Camels head coach Steve Fowler, who also serves as athletic director, said the credit for adding the sport should go to progressive superintendent Ben Foster.

“The new superintendent thought it would give kids another option,” Fowler said. “I think we have some kids who can excel in cross country.”

What's more for Campbell, it will help prepare boys basketball players for the upcoming season thanks to all the added benefits of conditioning.

Fowler said 12 boys basketball players also have reported out for cross country, plus Taylor Coleman from the girls squad.

Kurt Penn, who has since transferred to the East Prairie school district, started Senath-Hornersville's program with the same intention in mind several years ago.

Amber Chandler, whose daughters Lily and Morgan are on the Lions' roster, takes over as the head coach.

Senath-Hornersville brings plenty of running experience to the table. The Lions have spent recent training sessions increasing their mileage outputs.

“We have a lot of veteran runners who have come back,” Chandler explained. “We also have some newcomers who have not missed a summer practice. They have shown the drive to do something new.”

From a geographical perspective, Campbell is blessed since its the only part of Dunklin County with challenging hills. Those hills are tough to come by in Senath, since the community is ensconced in the delta.

The Lions have several newcomers out for the sport, Grant Burr, Angel Ledezma, Alejandro Soto, Trevor Greer and Luke Rushing on the boys side. New girls are Lily Chandler, Ava Bollinger, Emma Sample, Gabriela Sierra and Ailani Arenas.

Haley Barksdale, Morgan Chandler and Chloe Edmonston will provide senior leadership for the Lions' girls roster. Senath-Hornersville's boys squad will be piloted by seniors Mason Williams and Madox Belcher.

Others on the Lions' boys roster are Gerardo Castillo, Jacob Chapman, Adyn Goff, Todd Green, Adam Motes and Braden Roy plus Jena Dogan, Halle Jamerson and Tanya Martinez (girls).

Five girls who are on the cross country team also play volleyball, Coach Chandler reported, and one fall baseball.

Senath-Hornersville lost Jeraldine Olivas to graduation, she will be on the cross country squad at Missouri Valley College in Marshall.

Campbell's boys roster features seniors Phillip Hanners, Samuel Bunting, Landen Wilson and Logan Townsend, junior Ben Rowland, sophomores Wyatt Janson, Drew Fowler (Steve's son), Kennan Siebert and Jackson Foster plus freshmen Clay Huber, Zander Hanners, Adon Lawless and James Olinger.

Rita Wheeler also reported out for Campbell's girls team. Cross country competes for girls with volleyball and competition cheerleading, Steve Fowler reported.

The Bootheel is not quite ready for prime time yet. However, there are several staunch teams across the region to look out for in cross country this fall: perennial powerhouse Oak Ridge plus Bernie, Puxico and East Carter.

Coach Fowler said he's looking forward to competing in the Heartland Conference, an exclusive cross country league with schools of varying sizes, mainly from Classes 1-3.

Campbell will open up at the Poplar Bluff Invitational on Aug. 31.

Senath-Hornersville's first meet has been scheduled for Sept. 9 at Arcadia Valley in Ironton.