By Don Lowe
While Monett’s Senior High Boys and GirlsCross Country teams couldn’t be more different with the years of experience in one group compared to the youthfulness of the other, it’s clear longtime Cubs and Lady Cubs Head Coach Kelly George is stoked at the similarities both units display in their desire and determination to succeed.
“We have four seniors and a junior on our boys’ team,” Coach George notes. “I think the most exciting thing about them is that they are great friends, and they hang out together outside of practice.
“They push each other every day in practice and check on each other to make sure they’re all getting in their mileage. We have an entire team of leaders. Individually, each one could lead by himself on any given day.”
Completely opposite from the veteran presence amongst Monett’s senior boys, Coach George says, “As of now, I only have freshmen Isabell Coffey and Jailyn Fernandez on the high school girls’ team. I think they bring a lot to our program. They are great friends, and they push each other in practice and at meets.
“I think both girls have a lot of talent and have put in some great mileage this summer. I appreciate their work ethic and the way they lead.”
Individually, Coach George is thrilled with what each of these athletes bring to her teams and she says, “Victor Salas (senior) qualified for state his sophomore year and started out well last season. He injured his Achilles and was out for the remainder of the year. I look for him to have a great senior year.
“Henry Barrientos Perez (senior) has been running well this past year and he continues to improve. I’m excited to watch him compete this year. Diego Castillo (senior) has been putting in the mileage this summer to have a strong year. He is so positive and a great leader.”
There are others and Coach George says, “Diego Ortega (senior) and Aaron Arreola Salas (junior) know what it takes to compete in Class 4. Diego is a strong runner, and he is consistently getting better. Aaron has been running the mileage to compete at a high level.
“Brayden Land (junior) has improved his distance running a lot. I’m excited to see where he will be when the season begins. He has increased his mileage this summer and is ready to compete.”
Although Isabell Coffey and Jailyn Fernandez don’t have any experience at the varsity level,
Coach George says, “They helped lead the junior high team to a Big 8 Conference championship last year.”
Coach George has a world of confidence in her dynamic duo and raves, “Isabell is a natural runner with the ability to do great things and make an immediate impact.
“Isabell works hard and is a leader by example. She broke several records in track this past season and I can’t wait to see what she will do this season. Jailyn has just taken off and always wants to get better. She works hard and knows what it takes to climb to the top. The sky is the limit for them.”
There’s a great deal of excitement with a new year under way. Coach George says, “The boys all have great attitudes. We are ready to get the season started.
“It’s also exciting to have the two freshmen girls leading our senior girls’ team and pushing each other. Isabell and Jailyn are fun to be around. They make practice a lot of fun.”
The preparation to persevere through these lengthy distance runs isn’t easy, but Coach George knows these runners are ready to go. “The boys have put in the work to be good this year. They work so well together. We’re working to get our top five closer together.
“The girls have worked hard in the weight room and in their running workouts. They just work so well together, pushing each other in practice and out on the course.”
Monett Senior High Cross Country Teams Fast Facts
Head Coach: Kelly George, 14th year
Conference Big 8
Class: 4
Number of Meets: 10
First Meet: SWCCA Meet, Saturday, Sept. 7
at Bolivar, Missouri
Monett Invitational: Tuesday, Sept. 17