Cross Country teams loaded

CLAYTON — Northmont’s Boys and Girls Cross Teams have a wealth of talent back this year with a total of 14 returning boys and 13 returning girls on its roster of 37 runners.

There are 16 boys and 21 girls that make up the roster.

“On the girls side I have the majority of my top runners back. I only graduated one out of the top five,” said Coach Joe Barnes. “On the boys side I was only supposed to lose two, J.T. Mackay and Tanner Garrison, but I lost Zack Garver to injury for the entire season. Garver was my number two runner last year and I lost my number five runner Jordan Stoiber, who moved to Arizona.”

Barnes feels he has four solid boys runners with the fifth and sixth battling for the last spot.

“I think the guys will be right back in there and will have a good shot at finishing as district runner-up again,” Barnes said.

He feels the girls team is also poised to be strong again this year.

“I know it’s going to be difficult because Beavercreek and Centerville are right there ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the state,” he said. “Centerville and Beavercreek will also be tough on the boys side and possibly Springboro. I might not sure who Springboro is bringing back this year, but they were tough last year and finished as district champions.”

Barnes feels his teams have done a great job preparing for the upcoming season.

“This is the best year of summer training we’ve had with a lot of kids participating. I am very excited to see what everybody can do,” Barnes added.

2015 Northmont Boys Cross Country Team, top row, left to right: Assistant Coach Brent Coppock, Jared Bush, Xavier Leonard, Brandon Schroeder, John Pierron, Jackson Weaver, Gage Beireis, Robbie Spilker, Jake Bowers, Head Coach Joe Barnes. Bottom row, left to right: Ben McCarroll, Justin Delano, Derek Kirkland, Jacob Coleman, Ethan Shade, Josiah English, Jeremiah Robertson.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/08/web1_BoysCrossCountry.jpg2015 Northmont Boys Cross Country Team, top row, left to right: Assistant Coach Brent Coppock, Jared Bush, Xavier Leonard, Brandon Schroeder, John Pierron, Jackson Weaver, Gage Beireis, Robbie Spilker, Jake Bowers, Head Coach Joe Barnes. Bottom row, left to right: Ben McCarroll, Justin Delano, Derek Kirkland, Jacob Coleman, Ethan Shade, Josiah English, Jeremiah Robertson. Photo courtesy Easterling Studios

2015 Northmont Girls Cross Country Team, top row, left to right: Assistant Coach Brent Coppock, Ali Brown, Madison Whitesell, Macy Newburg, Lauren Eck, Maggie Salata, Morgen Tracey, Jordan Rife, Melissa Barrett, Head Coach Joe Barnes. Middle row, left to right: Britney Amin, Abi Brown, Jenna Fickes, Hailey Jenkins, Emily Robertson, Caitlin Hoyng, Aubrey Kosak. Bottom row, left to right: Kimea Lawrence, Bailey McCabe, Clara Leedy, Aniyah Stanford.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2015/08/web1_GirlsCrossCountry.jpg2015 Northmont Girls Cross Country Team, top row, left to right: Assistant Coach Brent Coppock, Ali Brown, Madison Whitesell, Macy Newburg, Lauren Eck, Maggie Salata, Morgen Tracey, Jordan Rife, Melissa Barrett, Head Coach Joe Barnes. Middle row, left to right: Britney Amin, Abi Brown, Jenna Fickes, Hailey Jenkins, Emily Robertson, Caitlin Hoyng, Aubrey Kosak. Bottom row, left to right: Kimea Lawrence, Bailey McCabe, Clara Leedy, Aniyah Stanford. Photo courtesy Easterling Studios