Off and running
ACHS cross country team is loaded with talent
As Anderson County High School cross country Coach Derek Wallace prepares to begin his eighth season at the school, he can’t hide his enthusiasm about the upcoming campaign.
“We’re excited,” Wallace said.
With good reason.
The Mavericks return six athletes who competed in the 2022 state championships in Hendersonville.
‘We should have a strong team,” Wallace said. “We have six kids back who ran at state last year. Six of our top seven runners are back and we have a good freshman class coming in.
“This is the most dedicated team that I’ve ever coached. They want to do well and they love to compete. They love to run. They really enjoy it and they really want the team do well and they like to run together.”
Top returners for the ACHS boys include: Ryan Basford (senior); Vance Laster (junior); Ben Clotfelder (junior); Ethan Bolton (junior); Toby Day (sophomore) and Michael Mattson (sophomore).
The veteran runners made great strides as they reached the Volunteer State’s grand stage last season as Bolton, Laster and Clotfeler posted their best times of the season at the state championships.
“Our kids peaked at the right time,” Wallace said.
The team members, however, aren’t resting on their laurels.
“The kids have worked hard all summer and they’ve worked hard on their own,” Wallace said. “We’ve really upped the ante this year.”
In addition to the veterans on the 2023 team, the Mavericks boast a talented group of freshmen, led by Cameron Hardy, John “J.J.” Cutter and Darren Anderson.
“I’m really excited about our freshmen,” Wallace said.
Lady Mavericks look for big things this season
Anderson County’s girls are also coming off a state meet appearance and they also have six returners who competed in Hendersonville last November.
Two-time all-state standout Kaitlyn Fisher is back for her senior season. She finished eighth at state last year after posting a third-place finish in 2021. She recently received clearance to run, as she is returning from injury.
Sophomore Ava Moody also returns. She was an all-state distance runner on the track team in the spring and just missed earning all-state honors in cross country last fall.
“Ava was one spot away from making all-state in cross country as a freshman last year, and she’s really pushed herself,” Wallace said. “She’s really been pushing herself to be better.”
Senior Emily Boring, junior Marley Caldwell, junior Morgan Lindsay, junior Emma Johnson and sophomore Sydney Day also return.
The Mavs and Lady Mavs open the 2023 campaign on Aug. 24 at a two-mile time trial at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville.
