TFS has High Expectations for 2020 Cross Country Season
The Tallulah Falls School (TFS) has high expectations for the 2020 cross country season. For the boys varsity team, fresh off making history last season, the team returns one of the top runners in the state in 2020. Junior Evan Prince, who finished third in the area and fifth at state in 2019 as a sophomore, continues to lead the TFS varsity team by example. The boys squad consists of a strong group of runners, including Prince, Grey Bourlet, and Walker Bailey. The program finished ninth at the state meet last season, and despite losing recently graduated Chris Geiger, should be able to duplicate that success in 2020. “The external goal is to place higher at state and to improve significantly from last year,” says cross county coach Scott Neal. “Internal team quests are to strengthen fortitude together, develop distinct leadership and role accountability, and create fun! The goal is to utilize the external and internal goals to create a consistent discipline that is the motivation to see how good each member and the team can be.” The varsity teams open the season on August 22 at the Northeast Georgia XC Championships in Athens, and the first home meet is slated for September 8 for the annual Cookies ‘n Quotes XC Festival. The girls varsity cross country team in 2020 aims to build off last season’s historic finish at state. After coming in 12th at the state meet in 2019, Tallulah Falls School returns much of its leading runners from last season. Even then, the team is still considered young, as there are no current seniors on the roster. Gone is top runner Sophie Alexander, who finished 38th at state and 9th in the area. However, junior Lucy Alexander (state 36th, area 13th) has put in the work to have an even better season than she did last year. Cross country coach Scott Neal expects others like Emma Jackson, Kate Trotter, and freshman Jenna Chesser to have breakout seasons. Neal points to the team working to improve pacing, pain management and daily encouragement to do their best. “We want to build upon last year’s historic season by forging together, creating memorable opportunities and leaving grateful for a season with lifelong lessons, personal satisfaction, and team success,” says Neal. The varsity girls open the 2020 season in Athens at the Northeast Georgia XC Championships on August 22. The first home meet is the annual Cookies ‘n Quotes XC Festival on September 8. The middle school boys cross country team sets its sights on great success in 2020. With key runner Blaire Moore moving up to the high school level, Clay Kafsky will be relied on to help lead the team. Kafsky is a five-sport standout who competes in cross country, track & field, swimming, basketball, and soccer. Cross country coach Scott Neal sets high expectations for both groups in the fall. Coach Scott Neal has a pair of impact runners from last season returning for the girls middle school cross country team. Despite seeing Jenna Chesser moving up to the varsity team, both Josie Chesser and Haygen James will help guide this group in 2020. For both boys and girls teams, the goal remains the same. “We want to enjoy the lifelong activity of running, develop and demonstrate GREAT character while forging fortitude together, and to create a mindset of continual improvement,” says Neal. The middle school teams open the season on August 22 at the Northeast Georgia XC Championship in Athens, and have their lone home meet on September 8 at the annual Cookies ‘n Quotes XC Festival.
