Anderson County XC readies for 2024 with new coach, veteran teams
As the Anderson County High School cross country teams prepare to begin their 2024 season, they have lofty expectations and several familiar faces returning to compete for individual and team state titles.
However, there is one new face in the program. Mollie Longmire, a 2023 graduate of Lipscomb University, has returned to her alma mater to take over as head coach.
Longmire replaces Derek Wallace, who left the program to become the cross country and girls basketball coach at Norris Middle School.
Longmire will be assisted by track coaches MaryKate Longmire (her sister) and Harrison Calhoun.
The Lady Mavericks boast a bevy of veteran runners.
Junior Ava Moody returns after winning the Class A/AA region championship in 2023 and placing third at the state championships in Hendersonville. She also claimed both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter titles at the state track meet last spring.
Returning seniors for the Lady Mavericks include Emma Johnson and Morgan Lindsey.
Moody leads a talented crop of juniors, including Marley Caldwell and Sydney Day.
Sophomores on the Lady Mavs’ roster this fall are Anna Gross, Wren Wilson, Morgan Haire, and Kaitlyn Clotfelder.
Freshmen include Emma Owens, Rebekah Berg, Cindle Justice, Kimberlin Lassiter, and Cassie Newman.
The boys team also has a deep roster filled with experienced athletes.
Senior Vance Laster, who won the 3,200-meter championship at the Spring Fling in May, returns with high expectations. Other seniors with big goals include Caleb Dill, Ben Clotfelder, Ethan Bolton, and Zander Vo.
The 2024 juniors are Toby Day, Franklin Downs, and Michael Matteson. Sophomores include John Cutler, Cameron Hardy, and Tanner Warman. They will be joined by incoming freshmen Avian Laster and Stevie Johnson.
Anderson County undoubtedly has one of the largest programs in Class A/AA, and Longmire emphasized that each athlete has a role to play in every race.
“We have a lot of returners from last year, and I’m fortunate not to have to rebuild the whole program,” she said. “Our guys have some really big goals, and our girls have a lot of potential.”
The new coach also praised her athletes’ work ethic.
“Cross country is not for the weak.” she said. “Our kids have been running between 3-6, and sometimes 8 miles a day. And it’s hard because we’ve had temperatures in the 90s just about every day this summer.”
Anderson County opens the 2024 season on Saturday at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville. ACHS will also host a meet at Norris Dam on Sept. 7.
