Numbers Increase Dramatically For Mehlville Cross Country Teams

Mehlville boys cross country coach Dustin Pearce can vividly remember the first year he was associated with the sport.

"There were less than 10 runners combined for the boys and the girls," said Pearce, who begins his fourth year as boys head coach.

Those numbers have risen the last several years, and more so than this year as the Panthers have 24 boys and 23 girls on the team this fall.

"I think we ended last year with 26 so we almost doubled the size," Pearce said.

Several of the runners, especially on the girls side, are new but there are some talented veterans on both teams.

Mehlville's boys opened the season Aug. 31, finishing third as a team at the Nike Fleet Feet Invitational at Fenton City Park.

"I was more concerned with how we competed place-wise than times with the extremely hot conditions," Pearce said. "In that regard I was happy although it would have been nice to have someone come home with a plaque."

The top 10 runners earned plaques from the meet. Mehlville had four runners in the top 20 but none in the top 10.

"We don't have a superstar or a guy who is going out and win meets," Pearce said. "But we have four really good guys and strong runners who should run well as a pack."

Senior Nick Zewiski led the tightly-packed quartet Wednesday. Sophomore Nick Bewen, who was the lone Panther state qualifier last year, was close behind.

Junior Drew Wohlschlaeger and sophomore Trey Pratt are also in that top pack of runners. Wohlschlaeger placed third at the team's second meet in Jackson. 

"Every year since I have been here we have moved up in the district rankings," Pearce said. "We were dead last in my first year and then were eighth in 2009 and sixth last year. The top four teams advance to sectionals and we have to have that as our goal with almost our entire team returning. It will be hard to achieve but that is our dream goal."

Oakville High School alum Maureen McInnis takes over as the girls cross country coach this season.

She has a top runner in Gwen Werner. The sophomore qualified for the state meet as a freshman last year and was the lone Panther who came home with a plaque Aug. 31 as she finished ninth individually in the girls meet. Werner also got fourth place at the Jackson Invitational on Saturday. 

"Gwen had some setbacks early on in her season last year but she really turned it on at the end," McInnis said. "I am expecting big things from her this year. She has shown a lot of growth and spent a lot of time running this summer. She is a hard worker."

McInnis is also very pleased with the increased numbers on the team this year.

"Two-thirds of them are probably new, but I am very happy with the numbers," she said. "We are hoping to build those numbers."

Jen Carter leads a group of experienced seniors that also include Jessica Tautphaeus, Belkisa Dautovic and Tamara Gerlica. Sophomore Cheyenne Littlefield also shows potential.

"A lot of these girls ran track and they seem to be a cohesive group," McInnis said. "We have some good senior leadership as well. I am new to the program and just want to see some overall growth."

The team saw even more improvement at Jackson last weekend. Out of the 34 athletes who raced, 19 of them brought home medals. The sophomore boys won their division and came home with a plaque, a first for the season. 

The Panthers will travel to Forest Park Saturday in the Forest Park Cross Country Festival, one of the largest meets of the year.