The CHS cross country program begins its 44th season on August 8, 2011. Coach Lynn Walter began the program and served as the head coach for 34 years. Jodie Joostberns, Josh McCanless, and Marcus Palozollo each served as head coach for one season before Raymond Hobby became the head coach in 2006. Hobby continues to serve in that capacity.
The program has produced one state cross country champion, Brent Beck in 1974, and has earned eleven top 4 state meet trophies. 17 region championships have been earned along with 15 region runner-up finishes. Numerous rjnners have earned a coveted state meet medal. Medals are awarded to the top 10 finishers. Calhoun has been represented at the state meet 34 of the previous 43 years of competition.
As the 2011 season begins our two main goals, as always, are to qualify for the state meet, top four teams qualify, and to finish, as a team, in the top 10 at the state meet. Since 2006 the above named goals have been achieved by both boys and girls team three of the five years during Hobby's tenure. The other two years only one team qualified for the state meet.
The team will begin their home season on September 8, 2011 at New Echota State Historic Site. The girls will return 5 letter winners, 3 that participated in the state meet. The boys will return 6 letter winners, 4 that participated in the state meet. Current team and New Echota course records are held by Sally Peterson (20:09, 2007) and J. B. Box (17:16, 2008).
The 2011 schedule is as follows:
September 3 @ Armuchee
8 @ Home vs. Adairsville and North Murray
15 @ Adairsville
17 @ Cartersville (tentative)
22 @ Ridge Ferry Invitational (Rome)
27 @ Home vs. Coosa and Model
October 6 @ Home vs. Gordon Central and Sonoraville
13 @ Home vs. Coahulla Creek, Murray County, and North Murray
18 @ Ga. Highlands Invitational (Ga. Highlands College, Lindale)
27 @ Region meet (Ga. Highlands College, Lindale)
November 5 @ State meet (Carrollton)
Coach Hobby can be reached by telephone (706-629-9213 or 706-629-0303) or by e-mail at the following address: hobbyr@calhounschools.org