Highland cross country teams look to continue push for better state results in 2022

Highland’s cross country program has a new coach this fall as assistant coach Joe Shannon takes over following the retirement of longtime coach Doug Bradley following the 2021 campaign.

Shannon is looking to continue the success Bradley led the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs harriers to over the past 27 years.

“I think the transition has gone great — mostly due to how great a coach Doug Bradley was,” Shannon said. “The way Doug ran the team. I don’t think there’s any better way to do it ... seeing how he interacted with the kids and he had a pretty good system. Overall, I’m just trying to keep on going with what Doug started here.”

The Bulldogs lost only Cameron Pace to graduation giving them six of their top seven runners back in the fold, including junior Dallas Mancinas, seniors Mason Steinbeck, Ethan Smith and Cole Basden and sophomores Avery Brock and Christian Knobloch.

That group will give the Bulldogs an experienced lineup this fall.

“We’ve got a lot of experience coming back and six of the seven athletes ran (at) state last year, so I’m pretty lucky to have that for the first year,” Shannon said.

Seniors Braden Wakely and Isaac Irving, and freshman Adin Roach will compete for the seventh spot in the rotation.

Shannon noted the boys have two goals in mind this season.

“I think the (top) goal is to try to get them to a top 15 finish (at state) and then we’re going to try repeat as (Mississippi Valley) conference champs,” Shannon said.

The Lady Bulldogs squad, meanwhile, also will lean on experience to help them compete and turn in another strong season.

Five runners who competed in the 2021 IHSA Class 2A meet are back for Highland this year, including junior Tarryn Keeney, sophomore Peyton Frey, senior Maddie Dortch, sophomore Ellie Seger, and sophomore Ava McPherson.

Also in the mix is sophomore Liv Heinzmann, who has been battling mononucleosis this summer.

“She’s had mono all summer so if she can get back for running in August, she will be a varsity member by the end of the year,” Shannon said. “It just depends on how she bounces back from mono.”

More about Highland’s girls team

Another runner who will have a chance to be in the Lady Bulldogs’ top five competitors is freshman Briea Perkins.

“I think she’s definitely going to make a huge impact for us this year,” Shannon said.

The Lady Bulldogs placed 21st in the Class 2A state meet a season ago. Shannon believes this group is capable of more during this campaign.

“I think the more confidence we build throughout the year the better we will do as a team,” Shannon said. “There’s a lot of talent on the girls side and there’s no limit in what they can do this year. And their state finish last year, I think we can improve on it. For the girls, I do expect us to fall close to the top 15.”

Highland’s cross country teams will open the season at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Twilight Invite at Bethalto Sports Complex in Bethalto.