Russell junior Tanner Alexander, Fairview eighth-grader Brooklyn Bowen and their coaches are the top award winners on The Independent’s 2008 All-Area Cross Country teams.

Alexander and Bowen earned Runner of the Year recognition and helped lead their teams to regional titles as well as top 10 finishes in state competition.

Gary Salyer’s first season at Russell brought him Boys Coach of the Year honors. Fairview’s Becca Stacey repeated in the girls division as she continues to develop a young Fairview squad.

Alexander ran an area-best time of 16 minutes, 52.1 seconds and was named to the All-State second team. Along the way, he won a long list of individual titles including the Eastern Kentucky Conference, Area 7 and Class 2A regional.

“Tanner just developed so much toughness,’’ Salyer said. “He became the leader. He was determined every meet that he wanted to win, and he put himself in position to do that. He really stepped up and had a tremendous season.’’

Salyer said Alexander epitomizes the best qualities in a student-athlete.

“He’s a really good kid, the type you want in your program,’’ Salyer said. “Tanner is a good student and hard worker at whatever he does.’’

Two other Russell runners, senior Matt Collins and junior Carter Couchot, joined Alexander on the All-Area Team. Collins was honorable mention All-State.

“Tanner and Matt ran in the top two spots for us the majority of the time,’’ Salyer said. “Matt had a hip injury but did come back extremely strong. As far as the third, fourth and fifth runners, it changed from meet to meet. You can have the best runner in the region, but if you don’t have the other guys you are not going to win a meet.’’

Russell captured several team titles and went on to place eighth at the State Meet.

Ashland, led by sophomore Jon Renneker, also had three runners in the area’s top 10. Renneker was named second team All-State, while Fairview’s Tyler Brown made honorable mention in Class A. .

On the girls’ side, Fairview dominated with six runners on the All-Area team, determined by top times.

“It’s awesome to have that many,’’ said Stacey, now in her fourth year with the program.

Bowen led the way, capping her outstanding season with first team All-State honors.

“We increased Brooklyn’s mileage this year and she started lifting weights,’’ Stacey said. “I think that was a big help because she gained more strength.’’

Bowen’s work ethic also played a key role in her success.

“Every workout day she was just pounding away,’’ Stacey said. “She really goes at it.

Bowen broke the 20-minute mark for the first time this season and set a personal best of 19:46.3. The EKC, Area 7 and Class A regional champion finished 10th at the State Meet.

Overall, Fairview’s girls turned in a near-perfect performance at regionals and placed fourth at the state level after being ranked as high as sixth during the regular season.

“It’s exciting to see these girls continue to work and get better,’’ Stacey said. “I’m very proud of them. I think every girl came out and improved. They work so hard. I don’t know what it is about this community or Fairview.’’

Stacey’s program could be a force for many years. Along with Bowen, the team’s All-Area runners include junior Kaitlin Bridges, freshmen Dani Craig, Audrey Sizemore and Julia Terrell, and seventh-grader Maddy Rymer. Craig and Rymer were honorable mention All-State.

“We only lose one girl,’’ Stacey said. “My goal is to get them to all graduate running.’’

Russell sophomore Jennifer Miller, who had the area’s second-fastest time (20:28.4) this season, landed on the Class 2A All-State second team.

“Jennifer really stepped up,’’ Salyer said. “She came out of nowhere to have a great year.’’

Russell teammate Jennifer Sloan, a seventh-grader, was honorable mention All-State.



GIRLS

Amy Adams (Ashland)

Kaitlin Bridges (Fairview)

Brooklyn Bowen (Fairview)

Dani Craig (Fairview)

Jhonda Ison (Elliott County)

Jennifer Miller (Russell)

Maddy Rymer (Fairview)

Audrey Sizemore (Fairview)

Jennifer Sloan (Russell)

Julia Terrell (Fairview)

RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Brooklyn Bowen (Fairview)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Becca Stacey (Fairview)

HONORABLE MENTION

Julia Duncan (West Carter), Lindsey Fugett (Morgan County), Megan Harper (Raceland), Brandi Mills (Fairview), Felicia Mills (Fairview), Delancey Morse (East Carter).

BOYS

Jacob Adams (Ashland)

Tanner Alexander (Russell)

Tyler Brown (Fairview)

Johnny Bush

(Rose Hill Christian)

Matt Collins (Russell)

Carter Couchot (Russell)

Patrick Duggan (Ashland)

Daniel Fraley (Elliott County)

Cody Nickell (Elliott County)

Jon Renneker (Ashland)

RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Tanner Alexander (Russell)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Gary Salyer (Russell)

HONORABLE MENTION

Tyler Cooksey (Russell), Garrett Conway (Boyd County), Jacob Heishman (Ashland), Brennan Kizziar (Ashland), Rodney Thacker (Russell).