BAY MINETTE, Ala. – The Baldwin County High cross-country Tigers are short on numbers this year, but are working hard to build a stronger program.

BCHS cross country coach Matt Beckett likes his teams progress, but with increasingly tougher times to compete against, his girls and boys need to run their best or better at sectionals at Fairhope Nov. 4 to make it to the state meet.

"I've been very pleased with how our team at BCHS has progressed and with their level of running," he said. "In particular, I have one girl, Amber Williams (Girls captain), running in the high 22:00 (minutes-for 5K). And I have five boys, Cody Parker, Raymond Hearn, Daniel Holley (boys captain), Danialle Crooks and Aaron Creps, who are all running at 20:00 or a little under (for 5K).

"In years past, these times would have likely sent most of them, if not all of them, to state," Beckett said. "However, all the teams throughout our county and section have really stepped it up this year. Compared to years past, the time differential between all the teams in our section have seemed to become a lot tighter. It will be two very competitive races at the (6A) Sectional meet in Fairhope (Nov. 4) to determine which teams and which individuals will qualify for state."

With 19 of his 21 runners returning next season, (Crooks and Holley are the only seniors) Beckett would like to double the girls roster and increase the boys by 25 percent to elevate both teams' competitiveness in the county and section in the future.

"Although this is my first year as the cross country head coach at BCHS, I was the assistant coach here for three years prior. So I felt that I was pretty prepared for this year. But one aspect with our team that I wasn't fully prepared for was the challenge in recruiting kids to come out and run with us, particularly with the girls. This year, we have 16 boys and five girls on the team. And my goal next year is to have at least thirty total (20 boys and 10 girls). Of course, the more kids we have, the better and deeper the talent will likely be."

He added that although his seniors will be missed next year, their leadership this season has helped set a higher standard for the future.

"The good news is that of our 21 kids we have running with us this year, only two are seniors. So we should have a good group coming back. It's unfortunate, though, that the two that are graduating and leaving us this year, Daniel Holley and Danialle Crooks, will be dearly missed and will be hard to replace."

The sectional state qualifying meet for 6A schools will be held at Volanta Park next to the Fairhope Municipal Pool Nov. 4. The site is off U.S. Hwy. 98 (Greeno Road) just south of Alabama 104.