Kayla Chapman (class of '17)

Kayla Chapman had one Jackson Cross Country’s most successful careers. She was a multi-year varsity letter winner, and she received first team all-conference, all-county, and all-state honors.

 

Kayla was the Stark County runner of the year in 2015 and finished 10th in the State Championship. Kayla still holds a top-ten time in the program’s history (18:19) and the school record in the 3200 meters (10:49). She was awarded a scholarship to run at the University of Toledo.

 

Kayla now works as a process engineer for the Smuckers Company.

Favorite memory from cross country: When both the boys and girls team made it to the state championship in 2015.

Lesson from Coach Walsh that sticks with you: “Trust the process.”

Advice for young runners: Don’t run through pain.

Current running activities: Light running of about 2-3 miles, with a focus on weight training.

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Nate Mallue (class of '16)

Nate Mallue was the anchor of some very successful boys’ cross country teams over his 4-year career. He was first team all-conference and all-county in 2014 and 2015, and he was runner-up at the 2015 Federal League Championship.

 

Nate still holds a top-ten time in the program’s history (15:54). He went on to have a very successful running career at Ohio University and he is still very involved in the running community. He lives in Eugene, Oregon and is the Director of Operations for the University of Oregon Track and Field program.

Favorite memory from cross country: Having everyone together at Camp Shaggy. “Many runners go to running camps as individuals, but having the whole team together at camp as a team is very unique for a high school program”.

Lesson from Coach Walsh that sticks with you: “Be comfortable being uncomfortable. This was great
advice for running and for life in general”.

Advice for young runners: “Even though running is hard work, find enjoyment in running and trust that the program will work.”

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