T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY BARNESVILLE’S Tyler Jenkins and Martins Ferry’s Francis Toohey are expected to be two of the top area runners this fall. Jenkins started off his senior season with a victory last week in an OVCCL meet at Buckeye Local.

The courses are mowed and lined.

Cross country season is upon us.

The high school season officially began last Tuesday for many area teams, but kicks into full gear this weekend with the first invitationals of the season.

Cross country teams look at the early season meets as tuneups for what lies ahead in terms of the OVAC, OVCCL Championship and then into the postseason.

Those meets occur in October. The OVAC Cal Pokas Cross Country Championship is planned for Saturday, Oct. 9. That’s one week before the OVCCL Championship meet at Buckeye Local and two weeks prior to the start of the OHSAA postseason.

Here’s a look at the schools that returned information:

BARNESVILLE — The Shamrocks climbed back to the top of the OVAC mountain last fall when the girls team claimed the 3A title.

Veteran head coach Mark Brown, who is beginning his 39th season, returns a solid nucleus of that team as it attempts to repeat.

Leading the way for the girls will be junior Aubrey Johnson, sophomore Mara Bethel, who was a state 800 meter run qualifier in June, and senior Emma Helmick.

From there, the Shamrocks could see a the order change each meet. A mix of freshman Delana Jenkins, junior Kaylee Graham, sophomore Kylie Moore, sophomore Ayla Yater, senior Jordyn Strous and sophomore Adriana Schybal are all in the mix.

The balance of the girls roster includes senior Anna Yater, junior Britnee Cassidy, sophomores Cali Lee, Kailey Nugent, Madison Winters, freshmen Grace Starr, Rylan Lucas, Taylor Freshwater, Breanna Boylan and Danielle Baker.

“I think our numbers four through eight runners will be in a different order every race,” Brown said. “I also think a couple of first-year runners could eventually move into the top seven.”

Both Johnson and Bethel have been slowed this summer by injury. Brown indicated neither may race until “mid season.”

The lone graduation losses for the Shamrocks were Kaitlyn Rose and Morgan Winter.

On the boys’ side, the Shamrocks return the entire cast.

Leading the way will be senior Tyler Jenkins, who started his season on Tuesday with a win at Buckeye Local. He will be pushed by junior Logan Dodd, freshmen Conner Starr and Braedon Willis along with junior Vincent Phillips.

Senior Jonothan Carpenter, freshman Shepherd Ritchey, senior Mason Carpenter and senior Jett Stephen round out what Brown believes will push for the varsity spots.

The balance of the roster includes junior Cooper Bell, freshman Devin Crumbaker, junior Kellen Dornon, sophomore Brady Drake, freshman Alex Freshwater and senior Jacob Webb.

“Tyler and Logan were both All-OVAC and All-District last season,” Brown said. “I think Tyler will have a big season. He’s worked really hard this summer and increased his mileage.”

BELLAIRE — The Big Reds are “rebooting” their program, according to veteran head coach Chris Arno who has just five boys and three girls in the high school ranks.

The “reboot” doesn’t have everything to do with the numbers. It also has to do with what was lost to graduation when you consider All-Ohioan Jacob Defibaugh is gone and now competing at West Virginia Wesleyan. Also gone are Brenen Craig, Ryan Hicks and Aric Coffman.

“We took a big hit from graduation. That group of kids was part of a regional-qualifying team and two OVAC championships,” Arno said. “When you lose a runner like Jacob and graduate the majority of your team, and replace them with freshmen, it becomes a reboot, but it doesn’t change the yearly goals.”

A junior — Stefan Palenicek — will be asked to lead the way for a quartet of freshmen.

The newcomers are Aidan Brady, Manuel Garcia, Brody Blake and Mason Unterzuber.

“We need to have the mindset of winning OVAC titles and advancing teams to the regional and state meet,” Arno said. “The order of our guys finishing could change each meet. I believe Stefan is on the verge of becoming a contender (in meets). He has put in a ton of hard work over the summer and bought into what it takes to become a runner.”

On the girls’ side, will not factor in team scoring with just four runners on the roster.

However, the Big Reds do feature one of the top individuals in junior Bethany McElfresh. She’s been the regional each of the last two seasons.

She’ll be joined by Jenna Soland and freshman Lilly Fleming.

“It’s frustrating not being able to field a full team,” Arno lamented. “Bethany will lead the way for us on the course. She’s a talented runner who has earned several honors and awards. She has the capability to work hard to get to the next level.”

BUCKEYE LOCAL — The Panthers program was in a state of flux after long-time coaches Diane and Wayne McCracken retired.

Just recently did the Buckeye Local Board of Education approve Jason Merryman as the head coach.

He inherits a team of just four boys and one girl at the high school level. The boys are Cai McKeever, Dayne Carter, Nicholas Kovalski and Brodee Andes.

The lone girl is Corissa Griffin.

LINSLY — The Cadets have good numbers, talent and are excited they had an entire summer of conditioning to work with. Adding all of that up and boys head coach Nate Cumberworth and rookie girls coach Crissy D’Aquilia are both excited about what could be ahead for their teams.

“Last year was no doubt the best season in my five years as head coach,” Cumberworth said. “I have high expectations for this group because they have been working hard every day. This group wants to achieve something that hasn’t been done (at Linsly) in a very long time.”

Fueling the Cadet boys will be seniors Jeb Bertram and Jon-Michael Falbo, who have been “great leaders for the team,” according to their head coach.

Sophomore Andrew Heath is another Cumberworth is high on. Two freshmen — Darrian Bertram and Micah Kramer are also expected to contribute. Noah Jennewein and Xander Plute are also newcomers who could be key.

The balance of the boys roster includes Jack Scouvart, Brooke Zhu, Rocco D’Aquila and Brock Brewer.

“It’s very hard to determine where each guy will end up on the team and I wish all of them could be in the top seven,” Cumberworth admitted. “They’ve all been pushing really hard.”

On the girls’ side, the Cadets have a very solid nucleus back despite losing Molly Herron to graduation.

Leading the way will be Haley Heitz and Ally Hicks. Freshman Olivia Rosenthal is another who Coach D’Aquilia is high on. Another ninth grader to watch is Ilayna Murray.

Rounding out the girls roster are senior Henrietta Lofgren, sophomores Grace Lane, Caitlin Bedway, freshmen Ava Bartlett and Caroline Martin.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group with which to work in my first season,” Coach D’Aquila said. “Our numbers are somewhat down, which may make competing for a (OVAC) title a little difficult, but we certainly plan on going out and giving it our all at every meet. Each athlete brings something different to the team, and I am excited to have the opportunity to coach them this season.”

MARTINS FERRY — The Purple Riders have become one of the area’s most consistent, successful and deepest programs over the course of the last several seasons.

Head coach Chrissy Lewis hopes that trend continues.

The Purple Riders boys won the Buckeye 8, OVAC and OVCCL titles before qualifying to the regional. However, they also lost Wyatt Wodarcyk, Eli Smith and CJ Anderson to graduation.

“I am seeing the work ethic and commitment of the last few years move on to the next generation and I am excited to see what they can do,” Lewis said.

Leading the way for the Riders will be senior Francis Toohey, who had a brilliant track season in the middle distance races, and classmate Trent Lewis. From there, a bevy of Riders are battling for the other scoring roles. They include senior Mitch Tickerhoof, sophomore Ryan Theaker, senior Jackson Romshak, sophomore Demitris Briggs, senior Quentin Temple and senior Kyler Oliver.

The balance of the boys roster includes seniors Waylan Mlynek, Chad Love, junior Domenick Tedeschi, sophomores Carter Bennett, Colin Cunningham, Carmine Stroman and Walker Romshak and freshmen Hunter Their and Nathan Luong.

On the girls’ side, the Riders claimed the Buckeye 8 title last season and advanced to the regional and lost just Kayla Theaker from that squad.

“The girls team is young, but is showing some definite strengths,” Lewis said.

There are just seven runners out for the team. Leading the way is talented junior Josie Hancock, who had a strong 2020 season. She qualified for the regional.

Freshman Karis Oliver could be the second runner with freshmen Madison Oberle and sophomore Lanee Matz battling for the third and fourth spots. The fifth runner will be a battle between sophomore Gwyn Kapolka, junior Gia Starkey and sophomore Winnie Luong.

RIVER — The Pilots are battling a numbers crunch with just three girls in the high school program.

However, head coach Amy Shreve likes the way her runners have approached the season.

“The girls are coming in strong and ready for the season,” Shreve said. “This is going to be an exciting season for (all of the kids).”

Sophomore Mara Beard, who won the first race of the season at Buckeye Local on Tuesday, leads the way for the Pilots. She’s pushed by seniors Camryn Caldwell and Kylie Piatt.

Graduation losses from 2020 included Adrianna Karpacs-Brown and Sofie Meyers.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Red Devils swept the OVAC 4A boys and girls titles last fall and Tony Ciroli begins yet another season at the helm, he has several key cogs to replace, but a cupboard that is far from bare.

“I am fortunate to have a great group of seniors,” Ciroli said. “I will definitely miss this group next year. Not just because we are a tight group, but because they make up the bulk of our team.”

The girls return senior Allyson Evonek, who has had a solid prep career thus far. She’ll be pushed by Mattie Arbenz, Kylie McKeegan, Brenna Planey, Mylie Gardner, Rami Padilla, Luci Banks, Lola Anderson, Colleen Beard and Paige Koshenko.

The Red Devils must replace Maggie Marody, who is now swimming at Niagara University; Ellie Thomas, Victoria Trouten and Kira Wakulchik.

On the boys’ side, the Devils certainly have depth with 12 runners on the roster.

The team consists of Ben Shields, Matt Ponzani, Gannon Kazmirski, Sawyer Bonnette, Zach McKeever, Caleb Bryniarski, T.J. Saco, Brendan Miller, Jarod Holstein, Nathaniel Ellison, Evan Yost and Luke Stack.

ST. JOHN CENTRAL ACADEMY — The Irish have just one runner out this season as Danielle Stewart begins her tenure as the Irish head coach.

The lone competitor is senior Eric Schnegg.

SHADYSIDE — The Tigers have undergone another coaching change.

Michael Coyne, the husband of former Tiger CC head coach Jenna Coyne, has taken over the reins and welcomes a team of six boys and a like number of girls.

The girls team is led by junior Kenzy Beckett. She’ll be pushed by classmate Alex Dippel along with sophomores Kaylee Stewart, Addie Simms and Alie Hawthorne. The only freshman in the program is Cady Weber.

On the boys’ side, a pair of seniors are Landen Salgat and Jacob James. Salgat is expected to be the first Tiger to finish in most meets.

A trio of juniors — Lee McKitrick, Holden Salgat and Matt Kempter — are also expected to make an impact.

UNION LOCAL — Often times, losing six runners to graduation would decimate a program. That’s not the case for the Jets and head coach Lindy Jessee, who is embarking on her third season.

The Jets boys lost six runners, including All-OVAC competitor Shawn Coe. Also gone are Tommy Walsh, Beau Clark, Skyler Thompson, Chad Barbe and Parker Skedel.

However, UL boasts an experienced cast that features six more seniors.

The seniors are Derick Garrison, Jonathan Kemp, Aidan Milliken, Shane Tidrik, Marcus Koyder and Kaleb Farmer.

The lone junior is Austin Stoner and the only sophomore is Kris Miller.

“Our boys team is still full of seasoned runners,” Jessee said.

On the girls’ side, the only graduation loss was Madi Sells. That leads Jessee to believe her squad has limitless potential.

Leading the way will be seniors April Funkhouser, Kalleigh Stoner along with juniors Josie Goodson and Scarlett Clark. The lone sophomore is Emma Coates, while three freshmen — Faith Moore, Cori King and Taylor Singer — complete the roster.

“We have several young runners on the girls team who are all full potential and have great examples in April and Kalleigh to look up to,” Jessee said. “The summer’s training couldn’t have gone better. Both the boys and girls teams have been working very hard, putting in the miles and I think they’re ready to start racing.”