While running is an individual sport; cross-country is more of a team sport. But sometimes, even cross-country can be an individual sport.
Such is the case with the Camp Verde girls cross-country team this season.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association requires that all cross-country teams have at least five runners to compete as a team in AIA-sanctioned events — and the Camp Verde girls are one runner short.
“We lost a couple girls to work this year, and that leaves us one girl short of fielding a full team,” Camp Verde cross country coach Mike O’Callaghan said. “There have been some girls who expressed an interest, but I don’t know if they’re going to make it out.”
O’Callaghan said that for the four girls who are on team, it only means that they will be ineligible for any team titles this year, they may still compete as individuals.
“The girls can still collect a medal if they’re in a medaling position,” he said.
All four of the girls — Shelby Monroe, Amber Yocum, Katelin Wade and Gerlaura Vaughn — are returners from last year’s team, O’Callaghan said.
“Shelby and Amber both ran well, but they did not qualify for state last year, although they were only eight or nine positions out so those two should be able to qualify for state this year,” O’Callaghan said. “That really is one of their top goals is to get to the state meet.”
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Sept. 4, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
