Calhoun takes ACHS cross country reins
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Anderson County senior J.J. Cutler will help anchor one of Anderson County’s youngest cross country squads in recent years. - Tony Cox
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Rising junior Jordan Walker is expected to emerge as one of the leaders of the young Lady Mavericks squad as An- derson County opens the 2026 cross country season. - Tony Cox
As Anderson County High School’s cross country teams prepare for the 2026 season, they have a new coach.
Head track and field coach and former cross country assistant Harrison Calhoun takes the reins after Mollie Fox departed following two seasons.
Calhoun inherits one of the youngest programs in recent memory.
“It’s probably one of the youngest teams we’ve ever had,” Calhoun said. “We have a lot of fresh faces.”
The Mavericks have three seniors on their roster to begin the new campaign, as J.J. Cutler, Cameron Hardy and Tanner Warman return for their final season.
“It’s exciting because you’ve enjoyed watching them grow, but it’s also sad because you know this is their last year,” Calhoun said. “But we have one year left with them, and we’re going to make the most of it.”
Cutler returns after posting a 14th-place finish at the TSSAA Class AA state championships last season at Shelby Farms Park in Memphis. He completed the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 48.63 seconds.
Cutler is one of four returners for the Anderson County boys, who capped their 2025 campaign on the state stage in West Tennessee.
Hardy finished 31st in 17:27.88. Rising junior Avian Laster placed 74th in 18:28.86. Warman finished 148th in 20:25.33, while rising sophomore Benson Skidmore was 155th in 20:33.87.
The sophomore class also includes Gabriel Mounger and Rylan Vanlandingham. Incoming freshmen are Gillen Gossett, Kason Hansard and Christian Wolfley.
While Calhoun expects big things from his upperclassmen, he also knows the Mavericks must develop their younger runners.
“You want your seniors to have success, but at the same time, you have to look forward to next year and the year after that,” he said.
The upperclassmen have an important role in that process.
“When you look at our seniors, their workouts are longer and more intense,” Calhoun said. “Our younger guys see that, and it’s almost like a sibling relationship. They see what the big brothers are doing, and they want to emulate them.”
The Lady Mavericks also are young, but Calhoun said their situation is different.
Anderson County graduated one of the most-decorated female athletes in school history as Ava Moody capped her career with back-to-back state championships.
“We’re in a completely different place with the girls,” Calhoun said.
The Lady Mavericks are searching for a new No. 1 runner, and Calhoun believes rising junior Jordan Walker is ready to step into that role.
Walker posted a Top 20 finish at the state championships in Memphis last season, placing 20th in 20:55.09.
“I expect big things from Jordan,” Calhoun said. “We’re looking to her to be our leader and our No. 1 runner.”
Walker is the Lady Mavericks’ top returning finisher from state, and one of five returners who competed in Memphis last season.
Senior Cate Clotfelder finished 121st as a junior with a time of 25:31.2,1 and is Anderson County’s lone senior on the 2026 roster.
Junior Emma Owens returns after placing 127th in 26:17.22. Sophomore Rachel Garbes tied for 133rd in her state debut with a time of 27:01.25. Lily Franklin, also a sophomore, finished 153rd in 29:07.84.
Junior Cassie Newman also returns, and sophomore Charley Sparks is back for the 2026 campaign.
The freshman class includes middle school state champion Ella Tyler, Daisy Dyer and Lilah Sharon.
“I expect big things from Ella Tyler, but I don’t want to say this is going to be her year,” Calhoun said. “We need to set her up to be successful over the next three years.
“But I don’t want to burn her out,” he added.
