The Andalusia Bulldogs recently completed their first cross-country season, and head coach Anthony Clark thinks the program could have a bright future.

“I felt really good about the year, “Clark said. “All of the kids showed improvement. At the end of the year, the kids were putting up their best times and that is all you can really ask for. I think we established a baseline for the program this year and hopefully, we can build on the things we accomplished.”

One thing that Clark said make the future bright, is the youth of the program.

“We had a lot of young runners this year,” Clark said. “We hope to get the bulk of those runners back and add a few on that might have signed up in time for this year.”

Clark said that it is difficult to get a lot of runners in a school like Andalusia.

“When most of your student population is in the band, cheering or on the football team, it really just gives us a small group of students to choose from,” Clark said. “Cross-country is a sport that requires full-time commitment during the year. You really have to take it as serious as the other sports. That has been my approach with them, I take it as serious as I do basketball.”

The Bulldogs had strong season before it came to an end in the Class 4A South Sectional meet last week.

“We have one of the tougher roads to get to the state meet than any other schools in the area,” Clark said. “There are seven private schools and one magnet school in our section, and they have been doing this for a long time. The top three teams from our section will go on to be the top three at the state meet.”

Clark said the this year’s first Covington County Cross Country Championship meet was a great part of the year.

“I really thought the county meet was a huge success,” Clark said. “I was pretty impressed with Pleasant Home for make it into the state meet. For a first year program, that’s impressive no matter what sport you are in.”