Davenport, other districts aim to start junior high cross country programs

By Nate Taylor | Tuesday, June 10, 2008

In some ways, Davenport and other school districts want to be more like Pleasant Valley when it comes to cross country.

Starting next year, the Bettendorf and Davenport school districts will have cross country in their junior high schools. Others districts such as North Scott also are considering having a junior high program. Davenport’s athletic director Paul Flynn sees the program as an opportunity for more students in the fall season.

“We only have two fall sports in football and volleyball,” Flynn said. “Not every kid fits those two sports, so we’re trying to provide another sport for those kids who are suited for running.”

The example comes from Pleasant Valley. That district started a cross country program in 2003, and the athletes who went through the junior high program first, helped the Spartans cross country team win the state title twice.

“In watching Pleasant Valley’s program you know that has helped them out a great deal,” Flynn said. “We have to look at them because if it helps their kids, our kids might be a step or two behind when they compete in high school.”

One example of the Pleasant Valley junior high program helping an athlete is former Spartans runner Blake Irwin. Not only was Irwin was one of athletes who participated in the first year of the program, he also was a leader for the Spartans during their two cross country state titles and will run for the University of Missouri next year.

As Pleasant Valley coach Erik Belby watches other schools get involved, he said he knows how much it helped his high school team.

“The program has definitely helped in our success of winning state,” Belby said. “I think any district that does this program will have its runners benefit from it. I’m just honored people are using our district as an example.”

With six junior high schools, the Davenport school district plans to split to schools’ and its runners into two cross country teams. The schools from Smart, Walcott and Williams Intermediate will be the Davenport Flyers, while Sudlow, Wood and Young will be the Davenport Harriers.

Flynn said the district is still looking for the two coaches, but that the teams will begin practice at the start of school. Bettendorf has also announced they will have a team for the fall.

North Scott athletic director Frank Wood said he did have a junior high cross country program for two years starting in 2003, but because of financial reasons, the program was cut. After watching Pleasant Valley’s recent success, Wood wants to give it another try.

“You have to look at the competition,” Wood said. “There’s no doubt that when you look at any good athletic program, their athletes participate in sports at a young age.”

Wood also said he knows the program would help his athletes get the same experience as those in the Pleasant Valley program.

“With a program like this, our athletes will have experience before they go to high school,” Wood said. “That’s why I’m hoping our school board will bring the program back.”

The trend of junior high cross country programs are on the rise. At least for the Davenport schools, Flynn said he believes only good things can come from his program next year.

“You may never know,” Flynn said. “There may be kids that have great running abilities, but we have never given them the chance earlier enough to show their talent. This program might help.”

Nate Taylor can be contacted at (563) 383-2477 or ntaylor@qctimes.com