Despite the Jackson cross country program losing college runners like Aidan and Emma Niedbalski to graduation, this fall and especially the future looks bright for both Indian squads.
After a 2025 season where the Indians boys team qualified and placed 11th overall in the Class 5 State Meet, Jackson returns four senior leaders with experience in Nate Miesner, Chase Wendel, Kenyan Kelpe and Tower Eiwen.
Outside of them, junior Carter Reis, Carter Sander, Thatcher Bollinger and sophomore Cayden Dickerson are also returning varsity.
Miesner, Wendel and Reis were each All-SEMO Conference runners last fall, helping the Indians boys team win the SEMO Conference title for the 11th-straight year.
One runner who missed most of last season with an injury that head coach Andrea Talley is expecting big things from is junior Malachi Stephens.
Moving to Jackson’s girls team, returning varsity runners include senior JJ Johnson, junior Hannah Funk and sophomores Halle King, Audrey Maevers and Whitney Cox.
Cox, Funk, King and Maevers were each All-SEMO Conference medalists.
Additionally, head coach Andrea Talley has been impressed with incoming freshmen Nola Kelp and Peyton Barber.
“This entire team will need to keep the big picture in mind and be able to ‘see’ the potential for farther down the road — not immediate success in a few weeks,” Coach Talley said. “That takes maturity and confidence, but those that can look through the progress through a lens of years versus a lens of a few weeks can develop into state contenders.
“This group is just beginning their journey.”
