By Ken Hansard
Coach Dora Eastin is in her eighth season as a cross country coach and second as the head coach for the Joplin High Eagles girls’ team. The Eagles lost Kat Schaeffer from last year’s squad to graduation, but they return a solid group of runners from last season, and Coach Eastin has elevated expectations for the upcoming championship part of the schedule.
Leading the way for the Eagles is junior Ava Doll, who recently shattered the Joplin school record with an impressive time of 18.31. She secured third place at Gans, which serves as a prelude to the state meet, and is well-known for being one of the toughest competitions of the season. Coach Eastin commented, “This year, Gans introduced an elite run on Friday night, meaning some competitors raced a day earlier. If Ava had raced against those athletes, she would have placed in the top eight, showcasing her potential for the upcoming State meet.”
Along with Doll, the Eagles return junior Kyrie Britton, who Coach Eastin calls, “A runner who provides valuable experience and leadership,” and freshman Makayla Carter. Coach Eastin said of Carter, “She is a promising freshman who has already shown she can make significant contributions to the team.”
Coach Eastin insists that her girls’ concentrate on the little things, knowing that kind of focus improves her runners in all phases of life and will eventually lead them to their larger goals, “We expect each of our athletes to give her best effort at every practice and meet. Teamwork is essential, as supporting and encouraging one another is crucial for our collective success. Proper preparation, including eating healthy, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep, is vital for peak performance. However, just maintaining a positive and encouraging environment will be the primary key to our success.”
The Lady Eagles have obviously seen some success early in the season, but Coach Eastin says she is optimistic that her girls will only continue to grow. When asked what it would take to achieve their goals and consider the season a success, Coach Eastin turned once more to that same appeal to maintaining an even keel, “We just need to stay committed to managing the little things, and while cross country is an individual sport, our success depends on how well we work together and support each other. By combining personal dedication with a strong sense of teamwork, we will enhance our overall performance and reach our goals.”
