By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



MORRIS — They’re the defending Jefferson County champions, and later, they went onto finish ninth at the state championship meet. But, the Mortimer Jordan cross country team wants more in 2007.

According to head coach Mike Dutton, the Blue Devils could be better this year.

“We can be better,” Dutton said. “We think we have a chance to defend the county title and we’re hoping to move up higher than ninth at state. I feel our team will be very competitive this year.”

The 2007 Blue Devils feature only two seniors, so the club appears to have a solid future.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys out this year, but we’ve got good leaders on the team and guys who really want to succeed.”

Of the 16 runners on this year’s roster, nine ran last season for the Blue Devils.

The team consists of Andrew Burden, Michael Burrow, Barrett Bradford, Sam Huguley, Matt Barnett, Corey Ellis, Daniel Swope, Daniel Yeager, Jeff Hall, Aaron Nette, Jeff Reno, Travis Shelnut, Donald Gittman, Matt Wilkerson, Nathan McIntosh and Andrew Hramec.

The Blue Devils, which finished third at last season’s section meet, will compete on Nov. 1 at Hewitt-Trussville for the right to get back to the state meet.

The Jefferson County meet was not set at press time.

“I’m not sure yet, who our best individual runners are, but of the runners who are back from last year, they’ll all faster than they were a year ago,” Dutton said.

The Blue Devils open their season today at the Scottsboro. Dutton thinks the meet will be a good early test for his runners.