ROGERS — Jordan James might be getting ready for volleyball offseason right now if not for a little nudge a couple of years ago.
Instead, the sophomore from Rogers High will join teammate Maggie Montoya and several other area runners to match up against the best runners in a five-state area at the Nike South Region Cross Country Championships at The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston on Saturday. The South region includes runners from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.
James took the suggestion from her freshman volleyball coach to give track a try, after running a timed mile in practice one day.
“We were running the mile and I ran a pretty good time,” James said.
Rogers cross country coach Carlton Efurd is sure happy she did.
James finished 12th at the Class 7A state cross country meet as a freshman, then finished 10th at same meet this year. She earned All-State honors both seasons. That finish a couple of weeks ago also earned her a spot in the Arkansas-Oklahoma All-Star meet matching some of the best runners from those two states where she finished 27th, almost directly in the middle of the 53-person field.
“She was a big surprise for us,” Efurd said. “We weren’t counting on this girl even coming out. That was real blessing to get her out as a freshman. She had a good year last year for us, running with the varsity group in her first year.”
James said she’s even surprised herself at times this year.
“It’s been really good,” James said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a lot stronger. I’ve worked really hard.”
Her ability aside, Efurd said James is just a joy to be around.
“The thing is she just loves what she’s doing,” Efurd said. “She’s always got a smile on her face. She enjoys running, that’s the neat thing about her.”
James backs up Efurd’s assessment.
“Oh yeah, I like cross country,” James said. “I like running outside in the trees. I like trail running and hills.”
You like running hills?
“Yeah, we train hills,” James responded quickly.
James is definitely excited about Saturday’s race.
“Oh yeah, it’ll be fun,” James said. “Just mostly have fun; it’ll be a great experience.”
Saturday’s Ticket
Nike South Region Cross Country Championships
When: 9 a.m.
Where: Bear Branch Park, The Woodlands, Texas.
Notable: The top two placing teams in the championship race will automatically qualify for Nike Cross Country Nationals along with the top five individuals. Elkins’ Grace Heymsfield finished seventh a year ago and advanced to nationals, where she finished 44th.
Other area competitors: Valerie Reina, Springdale Har-Ber; Grace Heymsfield, Elkins; Kate Bucknam, Fayetteville; Maggie Montoya, Rogers High; Andrew Evans, Lucas Peiser, Mason Richardson, Shiloh Christian.
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