Cowboys Ready For Cross Country Season

Everything about the Hardin-Simmons cross country program was new last year. New team, new coaches, new program.

This year, the Cowboys are hoping to take the next step in becoming one of the better programs in the American Southwest Conference.

“Overall, we are much better than last year. We had time trials on Saturday morning and we are way ahead of where we were last year,” said second-year coach Rodney Smith.

The Cowboys return just one runner from the inaugural squad, but Adam Dobbins has proven to be a leader for the young Cowboys.

“Adam is a guy that played tennis in high school and last year was his first year to compete in cross country,” said Smith. “He is still a young runner, but you can tell with the year of experience he has more confidence and he did the work over the summer. He came back in great shape and we will look to him for some leadership.”

Newcomer Matt Buckhorn is expected to be the top runner for the Cowboys and freshman J.C. Faubion had a good time trial. Newcomers Adrian Parker and Kameron Hartfield will also be in the lineup.

“Obviously, with five runners on the men’s you want to stay as healthy as possible until the conference meet, but our talent level has been elevated over last year.”

The Cowboys are putting in a lot of miles in preparing for its schedule that features three meets that will be in Abilene, including its own meet on Oct. 3 at Sea Bee Park.

“We get to run at home three times this year so our fans will get to come out and see us run. The DIII State meet is in Seguin and our conference meet is at Mississippi College.”