Fall '07 Prep Preview ... MHS Cross Country/Owls' prospects improve with youth

Senior captain Lindie Arends will be leading the way for Marshall's large group of promising underclassmen. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

It could be a very happy 20th anniversary for Marshall head cross country coach Ted Denton.

The veteran running guru has a strong group of underclassmen which may allow the boys to compete for the NCMC title and possibly return to the MSHSAA Class 3 Championships -- which they did three years in a row in 2003-05, placing third twice -- and an influx of freshmen girls who could soon make the Lady Owls a factor in the conference and district.

Of course, this is merely speculative, but the promise is there.

"This is going to be an interesting season," said Denton, who has 30 runners with which to work. "Half of them have not competed in a cross country race before."

Many have, though, especially on the boys' side. Four district starters are back, although the one with the best time last year -- all-NCMC junior Matt Bledsoe (18:24) -- was still a full minute under that of four-time state qualifier Alex Jones.

Bledsoe is also the only one to have won a varsity medal, capturing four in his last six meets of the season. However, some of his compares were close in their personal bests, notably junior Phillip Perkins (18:47).

"It's incredible what he's done," Denton noted about Perkins' progress. "He's devoted himself to running, and it shows."

Bledsoe and Perkins are among a small group who learned under all-staters Michael McCampbell and Jeremy Glassmaker, the leaders of the Marshall team which captured state trophies for the first time in the program's history.

"Both of those guys are ready," Denton said about the junior duo. "This is going to be their year."

Sophomore Patrick Todd (19:00) and junior Alex Jenkins (19:19) also raced in last year's district meet.

Among those vying for starting spots are sophomore Henry Yeagle (19:33), juniors Brian McClellan (20:05) and Matt Leimkuehler (20:50), and senior Bryan Beck (20:32) -- who Denton said has made "unbelievable improvement." Sophomore Keeper Kays, a member of the Owls' swim team last year, has also come on strong.

However, turning heads in the pre-season was freshman Damon Thompson, putting up times comparable to those of Bledsoe and Perkins. During one workout, Thompson tried valiantly to keep up with Southwest Baptist's McCampbell and Glassmaker over five miles -- prompting Denton to remark that "he's got the drive."

The only returning state qualifier for the Marshall girls is all-conference senior Lindie Arends (21:52), the team's captain. Northwest Missouri State recruit Madison Marshman was long the Lady Owls' leader, reaching the state meet twice before injuries sidelined her as a senior -- but not before she claimed the NCMC title.

Marshall will also miss Chelsea Norman and Crystal Kearney, but their loss may be offset by the experience of junior Kayla Henderson (25:16) and Allyson Bargfrede (26:07) and the improvement of sophomore Cassi Johnson (26:19).

Over the long haul, though, the Lady Owls will benefit from the arrival of some talented freshmen, such as Katie Wells and Chanelle Koehn -- along with Lauryn Jones and Katie Arends, Lindie's sister.

The impact may not be sudden, but it appears Marshall will be up to speed before too long.