Jones returns to lead Cardinal harriers

BLOOMFIELD -- The 2009 Bloomfield boys cross country team members are front row (from left) Anthony Alberson, Aaron Brown, Ben Hays, Bryce McGlothin, Eric Bartlow and Spencer Warren. Back row (from left) Brant McGlothin, Payton Karl, Bryce Lindsey, Kyle Smith, Robert Buka, Ryan O'Neall and Ben Vandeventer. Not pitcured are Sean Hanauer, R.J. Brown and Andrew Bladen. (By Travis David/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

"I've been out for 11 years so I don't really know the kids very well, yet," Jones said. "But I would say with the way they have practiced this summer, we should have a decent group."

Jones mentioned having a granddaughter on the girls team, Avery Frederick, and an overall love for the sport as the reason why he returned, as well as good timing.

"I've enjoyed watching my granddaughter run so I have not totally been away the last few years," Jones said. "Kyle von Almen was also mentioned to take over the team, but he was out of town when I was discussed so I agreed to take the position."

Jones and the Cardinals will be without the services of last year's top runner, Andy Cochrane, but the experienced coach is not worried. Cochrane chose to give tennis a try this fall.

"I wish Andy the best this year in tennis," Jones said. "It may turn out to be a good thing for the team, as we do not have an established No. 1 runner coming into the season.

"Hopefully this will give some of the other runners a little extra motivation to compete for that top spot on the team."

Jones will have less than half the number or participants this year as what was on the team last year, but once again he is happy with what he has to work with.

"I am happy with our number," he said. "It's not too many and it's just enough to where we are not having to scrape the bottom of the barrel to field a team."

Most schools that are not known for their cross country teams, the sport is mainly fielded with athletes that use running as conditioning for another sport, like basketball. Jones mentioned less than half of his runners are basketball players and he doesn't want those types of runners.

"I don't want them on the team, just to run," Jones said. "I want the kids here that want to compete and take the sport serious."

Jones is taking over the program for Ron McBride who gave up the coaching position as well as his head basketball coaching job when he was approved as the new athletic director. The new coach said McBride has been helpful thus far.

"I have a lot of respect for Ron (McBride)," the former English and science teacher said. "I have served as an assistant to him in the past as he has also been my assistant as well.

"He has been very helpful, and I knew what to expect from the kids with most of them running for him in the past. They are nothing but a good group of kids. I can't say enough about that."

Jones did not want to talk about who his top runners might be, but did mention an overall class.

"Our No. 1 could come from the sophomore class," he said. "I feel like the sophomores are the strongest class at this point. We also have a couple juniors that are running really well also."

The sophomore class is made up of Robert Buka, Sean Hanauer, Bryce McGlothin and Ryan O'Neall.

Jones said the team's main focus is improvement.

"You always set your goals out to win your conference and have a good showing at sectional," he said. "But we just want to improve from last year's times and see what happens from there.

"All the kids are working well together and are having fun. They seem to know when to have fun and when it's time to get to work. They have a great work ethic."

The Cardinals will open their season up at the Greene County Invitational at White River Valley on Thursday, August 27.

Bloomfield

Boys Cross Country Roster

Player Gr.

Coach: Steve Jones.