The 2003 Cross Country team is hoping to continue the success that has occurred over the past several years. Under Coach Buddy Thomas the Hilltoppers have won four consecutive Big 7 Conference championships, won the Region 1 title for the past five years, and have finished in the top 8 at the state meet for the past eight years. The Toppers finished fourth in the 2002 state meet and with a veteran squad returning are hoping to contend for higher stakes this year. With five of the top seven runners returning the 2003 team is ready to go. The 2002 team was conference champions, Region One Champions, won seven meets, and finished fourth at the state meet.

The 2003 team, led by All-Stater, Big-7 Champ, Region 1 Champion, Todd Smalling (So) will return a team, like the 2002 team, with much depth. Senior captains Nathan Bowers (hurt most of last season), Aaron Harris, and Brandon Corpening will anchor the team. The will be joined by fellow 2002 top seven runners; Ryan Alexander (Jr), and Michael Hemphill (Jr). Philip Dunham (Jr), Bo Usary (So), Kenny Love (Fr), Zach Stein (Fr), Eric Schneider (So), and Arun Malikayel (So) will add much depth and any one of them could crack the top seven and be a surprise like Todd Smalling was last year. With a roster of 26 runners SHHS will have other runners that could add more depth. Some of these are David Wise, Patrick Flynn, Ty Cody, Joe Story, Regan Cannon, Austin Holbrook, Paul Moody, and Matt Patillo.

Like the 2002 team , the 2003 team has a good attitude, hard work ethic, and is disciplined. With this the 2003 team is hoping to improve upon the success of the 2002 team. The Topper boys cross country team is expected to contend for conference, region, and state honors. They should also contend for top honors at the weekly meets as well.

Coach Thomas (in his tenth year) has led the Toppers to eight straight state meet appearances, four conference titles, and five straight Region One titles. He has coached All-Staters such as John Goodwin (1996/97), Chad Kiser (1996/98), Shane Byrne (1998/99/2000), Robert Hatcher (1998/99/2000), and Todd Smalling (2002). Coach Thomas says “This team is the hardest working, most disciplined, and most focused team that I have ever coached. They are hungry and have goals set. This team is probably the strongest team that I have coached.” The SHHS team should make it back to Nashville in November for its ninth straight state cross country meet.

The Toppers are ranked second among AAA squads and third among all schools (public and private) in Tennessee in the 2003 pre-season poll. They have earned respect and now they must keep it.