2002 Season Outlook

The 2002 boy's cross country team is hoping to continue the success that has occurred the past several years. Under Coach Buddy Thomas the Hilltopper Harriers have won three conference championships, won the Region 1 title the past four years and have been to the state meet for seven consecutive years and have finished in the top eight all of those years. The 2002 season looks very promising. We return five of our top seven runners. We hope to build upon the past successes and hope to improve. Last season was plagued with injuries, accidents, heat exhaustion, car wrecks, and sickness. We hope that the 2002 season will not face those problems. The 2001 team still managed to win the Conference, Region, and finish seventh at the state meet.

The 2002 team will be strong with much depth. The top returning runners will be anchored with senior captains Marc Runyan and Ryan Davis. Joining those two will be All-Conference runners; Hamdesu Gemechu(Sr.), Aaron Harris(Jr.), and Ryan Alexander(So.). Brandon Corpening(Jr.) will return after an injury plagued year and Nathan Bowers(Jr.) will return after sitting out the 2001 season. Top seven runner Michael Hemphill(Jr.) hopes to improve from last year. Freshmen Todd Smalling and Eric Schnieder are promising runners along with Phillip Dunham(So.) and Taylor Pugh(Jr.). Other returning runners are Ty Cody(Jr.), Patrick Taylor(Jr.), Matt Pattillo(Jr.), and Regan Cannon(Jr.). Lee Williams, Gregg White, and Paul Moody could add depth to the program.

The depth of this team, its good attitude, and hard work ethic will make this team successful. SHHS should contend for the Conference and Region Titles. They could be one of the top teams in the state by season's end. The SHHS harriers should contend for team championships at its weekly competitions. Coach Thomas(in his ninth year) led the Hilltoppers to seven straight state appearances and the future looks very bright for an eighth visit to Nashville this Fall.