Scouting Report: Cullman HS Boys

You return a top 5 with a team average of 16:32 this year.  How does the team look after summer practices so far?
 
We have had a good summer thus far. We are very fortunate in Cullman to have a great trail system at St. Bernard to train on and two great camps (Step Ahead Camp and Wide Open Camp) that help keep the kids together and focused throughout the entirety of the summer, but it is just like any other summer as far as the individuals go. Some are working very diligently and some I would like to see a little more diligence and consistency in their training.
 
As far as where we stand now, we definitely are going to be a team that is going to benefit from a full season of racing. We have some talented young guys and if we are going to make a strong presence in the top standings come November it is going to be because those young guys stepped up and answered the bell.  
 
Any new additions to the team or surprises we can expect?
 
There are a few guys on our roster that are on the verge of having a breakout season. If I can get them to understand a few things and for them to execute certain workouts with more purpose and understanding and then learn how to execute a race strategy according to their strengths and weaknesses then those guys could definitely make some waves in the front pack of most races.
 
We also have some 9th graders that I think are going to push hard this season and will have a good opportunity to be very important for us late in the season.
 
What is your schedule this season and are you changing anything up?
 
I am changing a couple things up. After reflecting on last season's schedule and seeking out wise counsel I decided to do my best to find more races that would be similar to our sectional meet in regard to the size of the race and the competition.
 
The first week of the season we won't be going to a meet, but instead doing some intra-squad work.
Sept. 6 - Chickasaw Trails
Sept. 13 - Scottsboro Invitational
Sept. 16 - Randolph Classic
Sept. 20 - Fairview Invitational
Sept. 27 - Arab Invitational
Oct. 4 - Jesse Owens Classic
Oct. 11 - Bearcat Invitational (Home)
Oct. 18 - Oktoberfest Invitational (St. Bernard)
Oct. 23 - City County Championship (St. Bernard)
Oct. 30 - Sectional (Scottsboro)
Nov. 8 - State
 
What goals has your team established for this season?
 
Next week we will be leaving for team camp and this is when we will have the opportunity with everybody together to start building this team's chemistry and establish those goals. I am very interested to see where there mind is at in terms of what they are expecting from themselves this season. I am looking forward to possibly elevating their horizon a little bit and seeing what kind of vision we can set forth and go after.
 
This season is going to be a lot of fun. We have some great leadership up front from some senior guys that we will be able to rely on and then we have some guys that need to develop and are going to need to grow up, but trying to make that happen and the success that can follow if it does would be very gratifying.
 
Cullman (AL)  
  1) Kyle Norris   16:50.30  
  2) Jd Warner   17:15.57  
  3) Joey Franklin   17:46.94  
  4) Walker Caretti   17:55.23  
  5) Tucker Adkison   18:11.53  
  Average Time: 17:35.91 Total Time: 1:27:59.57 1-5 Split: 1:21.23
  6) Peyton Little   18:54.66  
  7) Ben Ratliff   18:59.09