Alexander High School first-year cross country coach Jimmy Sorrells said he was honored when longtime former coach Brian Robinson reached out to him about taking over the successful program.
“Change can be very difficult. Everyone knows that,” said Sorrells, who also takes over as head 
track coach at AHS. “But I am very happy how these athletes, coaches, and parents have welcomed me to Alexander. I feel right at home here and couldn't be more excited to help Alexander achieve great things in the cross country and track programs.”
Sorrells’ Alexander teams swept the Douglas County Cross Country Championships on Tuesday at Clinton Nature Preserve.
The boys team is led by senior Trey Albertson, who has been with the program since he was an eighth-grader. Sorrells said Albertson has been very consistent, with a team best 16:11.41 followed by a 16:12.42 in his top two races so far.
Sorrells said he’s disappointed he only gets to coach Albertson for one year.
“He has a tenacity to never give up,” Sorrells said.
Teammate Zachary Porter won the county title on Tuesday with a run of 16:43.93.
On the girls side, Sorrells said sophomore Emily McDonald has been Alexander’s top runner. McDonald won the county championship with a time of 19:30.14 that was more than three minutes better than the rest of the field on Tuesday.
McDonald suffered an injury but has “bounced back in an awesome way,” the coach said.
“She is extremely focused and dedicated,” Sorrells said of McDonald.
Looking ahead to the postseason, Sorrells said the boys team has the potential for a spot on the podium at the state meet, while the girls team lost some strong seniors last year and is in growth mode.
“The results and times are not what is most important to me,” Sorrells said. “What is most important to me is getting to know the runners of Alexander and having them buy into the philosophy of coaching that I represent. Respectfully, results will be what they are, but when you feel like you are truly invested into something bigger than yourself, now that is exciting.”