A History of Great Mills Cross Country

County Champions: 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966

SMAC Championships: Boys - 1978, 1979, 1995, 1997, 2000/ Girls - 1989 Runner-up

State Championships: Girls - 1989

3A Maryland XC State Champion - Will Christian, 2000

3A Maryland XC State Champion - Annie Imhof, 2015

Great Mills Cross Country (XC) has its roots in a rich tradition that dates back to 1962. Upon the inception of XC in Southern Maryland, Great Mills was a perennial power house. They boasted a winning team while sweeping the county meet from 1962-1966. Upon the start of XC competition in SMAC, Great Mills won the first two SMAC XC meets in 1978 and 1979. The boys have also won SMAC titles in 1995, 1997, and 2000. In 2000 Will Christian (class ’01) went on to be 2000’s 3A Maryland State Boys XC Champion.

A full girl’s team first started running XC country under Coach Larry Leak during the 1979 season. At the 1987 SMAC race at White Plains, Shannon Sothoron won the SMAC XC Girls Championship. Two years later, in 1989, the Lady Hornets ran their most successful season, placing as runner-ups to Leonardtown in the SMAC race and then beating them to become 1989’s 3A Girls Cross Country State Champions.

GMXC Coaches:

2018: Mr. Daniel Morris

2014-2017: Mrs. Lynn O'Dell

2013 - Mr. Andy Schiefer

2006- 2012: Mr. Arturo Leon

2005: Mr. Johann Odam

2004: Mr. William Raynor

2003: Mr. Justin Buenaflor

2001-2002: Mrs. Gail Goode

1999-2000: Mr. Jack Lovett (2000 Boy's SMAC Champions)

1994-1998: Mrs. Lynn O'Dell (1995 & 1997 Boy's SMAC Champions)

1987-1994: Mr. Tim Sandstrom (Girls 1989 Maryland State Champion)

19??-1987: Mrs. Mary Olzack

1978-19??: Mr. Larry Leak (1978 & 1979 Boy's SMAC Champions)

1962-1978: unknown

“If you can find meaning in the kind of running you need to do to stay on this team, then chances are, you can find meaning in another absurd pastime - life.”- Bill Bowerman (University of Oregon Track & Field Coach, 1948-1972)