High numbers of boys turning out for the Oakville Tigers boys’ cross country team is a good thing for the team’s competition, Coach Kevin Niedringhaus says. Photo by Bill Milligan.

By Stephen Glover
For the Call

With 20 athletes on the roster, the 2018 Oakville Senior High boys’ cross country team is looking forward to building a solid season.

“This is the most kids that we’ve had in awhile,” Oakville head coach Kevin Niedringhaus said. “We’ve got a good squad with a hardworking attitude. It’s going to be very competitive this season.”

With that many runners on this year’s squad, Niedringhaus believes that after their top three runners, the next four available slots are wide open for anyone to take.

“Having 20 kids will be good for everyone, as it creates a lot of competition this year,” Niedringhaus said. “The four to seven positions are open for everyone. And I think that a lot of our younger guys are going to push everyone.”

Senior Joey Miller returns for his second season with the Tigers after primarily running for the Oakville track team.

But after a season on the cross country squad, Miller has enjoyed the change and found success running on the cross-country circuit.

“Joey is a hard worker who actually didn’t come out for cross country until his junior year because he’s a track guy and he didn’t know if he’d like running distance,” Niedringhaus said.

“He found out last year that he really likes it.”

One of Miller’s fiercest competitors this season will be junior Jack Parcell.

“Jack will really push Joey this year,” Niedringhaus said. “And he’s gotten better each year. I think that this is going to be his breakout year after having a really good track season.”

Another senior that the Tigers will look to this season is Alex Sullivan.

“Alex never really ran distance in the past, but his times have dropped consistently over the year,” Niedringhaus said. “I think he’ll be able to push Jack and Joey this season.”

The Tigers open up their 2018 season at Lutheran South’s invitational at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Jefferson Barracks.