Category: Cross Country

Cross country teams benefit from new course

Athletic director A.J. Moye with the Jeff High cross country team at Tuesday’s meet at Scottsburg. The boys’ placed seventh and the girls’ placed third. Photo by Sam Mull.

by Isabella Stewart

This year’s cross country season has started with a lot of teamwork, running, and introducing new team members who are running their hearts out on the cross country courses. 

First, with the arrival of  new athletic director A.J. Moye has helped support the team. He has helped build and support Jeff’s own cross country course. 

Moye has driven through the course, making sure it’s safe for others, and has also just put a lot of time into making the course everything it needs to be. 

Moye has shown up to regionals with the track team and has attended cross country practices, showing his love and support for this year’s cross country team. 

Moye said he believes the most important part of his job is ¨to believe in the titles and the important roles that everyone plays¨ on their respective teams. He said pours himself into the kids and coaches lives and makes sure they know their value. 

Two years ago, the cross country team only had one female athlete; last year, there were four, and that shows how much the cross country team has grown over the past year. 

Senior runner Keira Jackson has made many friends and as she´s finishing her senior year one of the biggest things she wants people to know is “no matter how deep you’re in, there’s always an escape.”

Senior Keira Jackson runs to the finish line at the cross country meet in Scottsburg on Tuesday, Sept. 9. She placed 25th. Photo by Marcus Baker.

Jackson is currently striving to a 20-minute PR time. 

Jackson really speaks highly about how coach Sam Mull has supported the team every step of the way, just as Moye has talked about. 

Mull said he wants to “help improve each and every athlete on the team in their own ways.” 

The cross country team recently had a fundraiser, and they raised over $2,035 dollars for their whole team.

Sophomore runner Marcus Baker talked about how he went to 6-7 different neighborhoods going door to door to help out with the fundraiser as much as he could. 

The team has their first home meet Sept. 30 at their brand new cross country course.

This upcoming Thursday is XC Night at Bubba’s, in which a portion of purchases provides food, transportation, uniforms, awards, and gear for this year’s season.

Baker said,”We hope to see you there and Iḿ wishing this cross country season the best.”

by jhshyphen

Red Devils welcome new school year with annual Community Pep Rally

Students, Community come together to collect school supplies and display school spirit

All photos by Magdalene Conrad.

The Jeff High Step Team represents the school at Thursday’s Community Pep Rally. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Junior Stella Siewert participates in the swim and dive interactive station. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
The cheerleaders perform for the crowd. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
The Jeff High cross country runners pose for a photograph. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
The Jeff High band performs at the Community Pep Rally on Thursday, August 7. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Seniors Brody Fulkerson, Quintin Smith and Maverick McAllister enjoy the Community Pep Rally, which took place on Thursday, August 7 from 6-8 p.m. on Bill Ware Field. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
The girls’ soccer coaches Rachel Foster and Emily Foster soak in the sun at Thursday’s Community Pep Rally. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Red Devil baseball teammates represent the team at this past Thursday’s Community Pep Rally. Athletes and coaches from multiple Jeff High sports greeted the community at the event. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
Sophomore Aaliyah Flowers and the cheer team perform stunts and ignite school spirit for the crowd. Photo by Magdalene Conrad.
by jhshyphen

Cross country teams driven by unity, focus

by Isabella Stewart

The cross country team has grown significantly this year, starting with the size of the team. Coach Sam Mull, who also coaches track, has seen growth from runners this year and encourages each runner to run track for the spring. 

This year’s cross country team has a fair amount of the same team as the previous year; the only major difference is that this year’s girls’ team is slightly larger than in past years. Coach Mull is always welcoming more. 

Cross country is a coed sport. Team members practice everyday from 2:45 to 4:30, and the girls and boys practice and then attend meets together. 

Freshman Marcus Baker described the intensity of running for a high school team. 

“As a student who went to Parkview Middle School, I can say this is a different experience than back in middle school. I feel like I have run better this season than any other, and I think the reason is the coach.”  

Mull said, “The best part about coaching is watching kids who don’t believe in themselves do something they thought they couldn’t.” That’s something that motivates him everyday because he loves to watch them grow significantly as a person and as a runner.

Senior Isa Santos Moore is in his first year of running cross country, and his brother, junior Ari Santos Moore, is the reason he got into it. Isa stated that running cross country is a team sport that requires a mental focus.

“Journaling and talking to myself really help me run because focusing on my mentality is what is going to get me through the race with the help of my teammates.” 

Senior Brian Juarez said unity is an important part of the cross country team’s success.

“What makes a great team is their loyalty, responsibility, accountability, and always being there for each other holding each and everyone accountable,” he said.

Coach Mull added, “Cohesiveness as a group: a group of kids who all get along and then from there cross country is based on discipline as a runner and strength.”

The cross country teams head into a Hoosier Hills COnference tournament tomorrow at Columbus East.

by jhshyphen

FALL SPORTS: Wrap up

FOOTBALL 

After starting off their sectionals with a win, the JHS football team plans to fight for all four quarters tomorrow against Floyd Central in the sectional championship game. The team is pumped up after beating New Albany in the first round of sectionals. Senior Ethan Rogers said, “I feel like our confidence is boosted after the win against New Albany.” He added that “this is a big game for all the seniors.” Unfortunately one senior will be watching from the sidelines. Running back Isaac Finley won’t be playing against Floyd Central due to an ankle injury.

GIRLS SOCCER

Starting of their season with deep with juniors and sophomores only three returning seniors, the Lady Devils soccer team worked hard to come together as a team. A tough schedule and weather-related practice cancellations added to their challenges. Senior Bella Bungcayao stated, “This season is bittersweet because it is my last one. I hope next year will be better for all of the girls.” The Lady Devils started sectionals strong, with a win against Jennings County, but ended their season with a loss to rival Floyd Central

BOYS SOCCER

The 2019 season for the JHS soccer team was really successful. A win over Providence gave the boys a boost of confidence going into sectionals. Starting off their sectionals against rival New Albany seemed to be the best challenge, but the boys fell 1-0. “Next year the boys have a really good shot at winning sectionals. I would be really shocked if they don’t,” said senior Lex Hawkins.

VOLLEYBALL 

Even before the season started, new head coach Wes Briscoe quickly set out to build a strong team. They started strong with a win over Charlestown, while also facing challenges that tested the strength of a team. “It wasn’t really what I expected. As a team we really grew closer,” said sophomore Rachel Lowe. Our Lady Devils pulled through, ending the season with a four-game winning streak and the first winning season in recent history for the program.

BOYS TENNIS 

The Jeff High tennis team owned the courts all season long. With four returning seniors, they won the sectional title once again (the 11th straight and the 24th overall in school history). Several members of the team received conference and state awards for their outstanding performance on the court during the 2019 season. Senior Adam Crawford knows it will take a lot of effort to keep up the winning tradition. “I would recommend to the younger kids coming up to put in a lot of work,” he said. “Tennis is one of the hardest sports you can play.”

GIRLS GOLF

Our 21 Lady Devils dominated the season on the golf course. The Lady Devils had many games postponed due to rainy weather conditions, but that didn’t hold them back. With 52 wins and 17 losses, they still finished with a winning season. Coach Dusty Corum said the team “had a very successful golf season this year [with] very good overall performance from the girls.” Even with a winning season, Junior Baylee Lawler still believes that there is always room for improvement next year.

CROSS COUNTRY

The JHS cross country team had to be adaptable this fall as many practices were canceled due to the heat index. Injuries also took a toll on the team. Senior Matthew Leuhart couldn’t run in the beginning of the season due to an ankle injury. “The season didn’t start off too well because I got injured pretty bad,” Leuhart said, “but I came back and was able to make varsity and run at sectionals.” Senior Leo Burns received a medal and made it out of sectionals. Our Lady Red Devil runners had some rough competition against Seymour and Silver Creek. They received a lot of personal records, yet still look for more improvement in the future. “I believe if we work hard enough, we can get past sectionals for the next season to come,” said junior Kendall Stackhouse.

 

by a2k7g