Semoball Awards: Reed Layton repeats as Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year

A dominating season for Reed Layton was good enough to earn him one last honor this summer.

Layton was named the Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year at the 2023 Semoball Awards presented by SoutheastHEALTH on Friday, July 14, at LaCroix Church in Cape Girardeau.

Layton won the award at the 2022 Semoball Awards and he was thankful for the honor.

“I find it really awesome,” Layton said. “I think it’s really cool that I double up. There were a lot of guys who deserved this award.

For most athletes that win a Semoball Award, it can bring about reflection of all the work put in and for Layton, that’s no different.

“I’ve been putting in all kinds of work,” Layton said. “I really think it’s starting to pay off. My brother has been running with me for a while now and he’s really helped me out. My dad is also the coach and he’s had a huge role in how good I’ve become. Both of them have had a huge influence in my career.

While the summer for Layton has seen him be a bit banged up, he’s still focused on his ultimate goal.

“I want to win a state championship,” Layton said. “Right now I’m injured but I’ve been in the weight room and I’m on the bike just putting in as much work as I can. I can’t wait to get straight to work.”

Layton’s quest to help bring a state championship to Woodland begins at 9 a.m. on Sept. 2 when the Cardinals compete in the City Auto Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.

The lone home meet for Woodland is at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 when the Cardinals host the Woodland Invitational.