BY MATTHEW PEASLEE
BLACKSVILLE — The Clay-Battelle cross-country team is small in numbers but big in intangibles. Coach Justin Allar said he has one of the most determined runners in the area in senior Ashley Chisler.
“She’s a great kid — cool, calm and collected,” Allar said. “She’s developing into an inspirational leader and she is very motivated. She’s someone you can trust.”
Chisler qualified for the state cross country meet as a freshman and barely missed it the past two years. She has continued to work on her mechanics and is aiming to pick up speed in the final mile of the 5K races.
“I think she’ll step in right where Chase left off as the leader,” Allar said.
Chase is Chase Ammons, a talented runner who graduated last year after earning fifth place in the state cross-country meet. Ammons is continuing his academic and athletic careers as a cross country runner at West Liberty.
“We lost one of the best runners we’ve ever had,” Allar said. “He was the first boy in school history to qualify for the state meet a few years ago when he made it for the first time.”
Two years ago, the Clay-Battelle boys qualified for the state meet for the first time as a team. The Cee-Bees had just the minimum of five runners to qualify as a team. Here in 2021, just three boys are currently out for cross-country.
All three boys runners are freshmen — Brock White, Brian Vega and Wyatt Sharpless.
“Wyatt has experience,” Allar said. “He’s been running cross-country and track for the middle school. He has experience working with us. The other guys wanted to try it out and see what they can do.
“We’re pushing for a few more boys. I think these boys will recruit some of their friends. We’d love to field a full team. We can get some more young guys in with them and grow together through the years.”
Allar said Chisler, the lone girl runner this year, is excited to show the boys the ropes.
“That’s the best part about cross-country,” Allar said. “Maybe the first week, it’s a little awkward and tough. But these kids are out there, and it’s not easy, but they’re building relationships as they work together to get through their runs. I see a lot of times that the cross country kids are leaders within the team, but also at school. With their determination to succeed, it’s tough running that mileage.
“That group grows over the course of the year and gets close.”
Practice started later than usual for the Cee-Bees this summer because the track and field season lasted longer than in normal years. Once practice started up, the team began running in Mason-Dixon Park. They start slow with light jogs, gradually building up their mileage before tackling some of the hills in the park.
The team will also practice on the Clay-Battelle track to focus on speed and agility work.
“Now we’re working on overall strength and conditioning where we really focus on building a strong core,” Allar said. “I like to implement circuit-type work with cardio.”
Allar wasn’t a runner in high school. He played prep football before eventually coming to Clay-Battelle, originally coaching the distance runners on the track team. In recent years, he has participated in road races and half-marathons. He’s been involved with the program for eight years and hopes to increase the numbers at the high school level.
“Our middle school runs close to us at some practices,” Allar said. “We hope to build a relationship and a pipeline for the younger kids. I know they looked up to Chase over the years and I know they’ll see what Ashley will accomplish this year and be inspired to run like her.
“I’m excited to get things going this season.”
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