E.A. Sports Today

Running to host

Ohatchee awarded cross country sectionals

By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today

The road to a state cross country championship for some local teams will run through Oxford next fall as the AHSAA has awarded three sectional championships to the care of Ohatchee coach Casey Howell.

The Class 1A-2A Section 4, Class 5A Section 2 and Class 6A Section 5 races will be held Nov. 1 at either Oxford Lake or the Choccolocco Park course currently under development.

The pitch to bring the races here were a collaborative effort by Howell and Oxford PARD officials with Ohatchee serving as the host institution.

“I was hoping to get three, but just didn’t know,” Howell said. “I think this says something about where our program has come in the last five years and the great relationship between us and the Oxford Parks and Recreation Department. A lot of people had a part in this.”

Howell must inform the AHSAA soon on which venue will be hosting the races. Ideally, he’d like to run them at Choccolocco Park and plans to meet with JSU cross country coach Steve Ray, who is overseeing the course design, soon for an update on its progress.

An ancillary benefit to hosting the sectionals is an expected increase the field in Ohatchee’s Terrortorium meet as sectional teams race to get a real-time look at the course.

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