If a strong work ethic and commitment to improvement mean anything, Jackson High School cross country will be in great shape this upcoming season.

“If they buy into it and just keep at it, they're going to get better,” said head coach Andrea Talley, who is entering her 39th season. “Each kid is going to improve no matter where they start. Even if they're dead last in year one, they're not going to be in year two. It’s just going to be a gradual improvement.”

The big question is whether Jackson can harness the youth and energy and turn it into more success. Both the girls’ and boys’ squads are coming off breakout seasons – one that saw the Indians put two runners on the state podium and have three others qualify.

Jackson returns its three top runners on the girls’ side as Annika Barks, Lynlee LaValle, and Emma Niedbalski form one of the most dynamic trios in the area. Barks earned a state medal in her first trip to the Class 5 State Championships last season after running a personal-best 18:42.20 in the 5000-meter.

After Barks placed 10th in the state in the 1600 and broke the 3200-meter school record in track and field this past spring, Talley said that the senior is taking dead aim at “breaking the 5000 in cross country now.

“I think Annika can conceivably be top five in state based on what she did in track this past spring. It’s also where we see her progressing over the summer, but I think some other people could be there with her.”

LaValle and Niedbalski were neck-and-neck with each other in several races last season, including 25th and 26th place finishes at the District 1 Championships, respectively. The pair of state qualifiers will aim to move up the ranks and earn some hardware at the state championships this fall.

A veteran coach, Talley said that she loves investing in the type of runners who trust the process and are willing to improve day in and day out.

“If you can identify your personality types and the kids that are very oriented toward improvement, who just kind of go into it with a growth mindset and know that they're going to get better each year,” Talley said. “That's the kind of kid you want. You know they're going to feel a reward at the end of the day just because they know they're improving.”

One of those runners is senior Jenna Greene.

While Greene has not made too much noise in her high school running career quite yet, Talley said that she is due for a breakout campaign in 2024.

“She was a junior varsity gal and has emerged into a top three runner for us,” Talley said. “She’s made a big jump and whatever her times were last year, she will be a lot faster this year.”

On the boys’ side, the heart of the roster is gone following the loss of 13 seniors, most notably Jack Hutson and Jackson legend Bryce Gentry. Last season, Gentry was an all-state performer and set the school record after running a 15:27.00 in the District 1 Championships.

The Indians will still field a solid lineup, as Aidan Niedbalski, Kenyan Kelpe, Lane McBryde, Chase Wendel, Chase Goodson, Kael Coffey, and Nolan Kintner will all lead the pack in 2024.

“Right now, that’s the group that’s really tight,” Talley said. “There isn’t necessarily a ‘star runner’ yet, but if they can run a very tight pack and a very small spread you are going to score pretty well.”

Maintaining focus and staying healthy throughout the wear and tear of the season is critical for Talley and her runners. Due to the high heat index, runners are currently waking up at the crack of dawn to attend 5:30 am practices before school.

“We train them so they can adjust and adapt and not get hurt,” Talley said. “You're going to have sore ankles and things like that no matter what you do. Cross country is not a kind sport. So, when people get aches and pains and things like that we rest, and we get them biking and doing that type of thing until they're feeling better. And then we get them back out in the park and on the roads. If they come in prepared, they're ready.”

Despite a fairly new group, the extra dedication should pay off on the course. With that, the goals remain the same.

“We just like to see their improvement based on wherever they start or whatever their time was last year,” Talley said. “The main thing is staying healthy and to enjoy it. They find a sport they love and will stick with forever. But as far as accomplishments, we hope to win conferences again. We've swept it for several years in a row, and so we just want to keep that trend going and go make it to state.”

Jackson Indians

Head coach: Andrea Talley (39th season)

Assistant coaches: Bryan Kelpe (Varsity assistant/JV coach), Matt Hale (Varsity assistant)

Key losses: Bryce Gentry (Salt Lake City CC), Jack Hutson (Maryville College), Zach Brazel

Key returners (girls): Annika Barks (Sr.), Emma Niedbalski (Jr.), Anika Stephens (Jr.), Mekayla Dunn (Jr.), Mckayla Shaw (Jr.), Kalissa Smith (Jr.), Abigail Niedbalski (So.), Lynlee LaValle (So.)

Key returners (boys): Aidan Niedbalski (Jr.), Kenyan Kelpe (So.), Lane McBryde (So.), Chase Wendel (So.), Chase Goodson (Sr.), Kael Coffey (Sr.), Nolan Kintner (Jr.)

Runner you don’t know now but will by October: Jenna Greene (Sr.)

Top newcomer: Nate Miesner (So.)

Season opener: Jackson Invitational, Aug. 31

Meet to watch: SEMO Conference Meet, Oct. 17