New Hanover’s Shelby Howell is area’s top cross country runner
Mon. December 19, 2011 at 12:09 p.m. | By StarNews Sports Department
New Hanover High School runner Shelby Howell stands in Hugh MacRae Park in Wilmington on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. Howell is the 2011 Star News girls player of the year. (Photo by Matt Born)
By Robert Demetrious
Sports@StarNewsOnline.com
For the third year in a row, New Hanover High School’s Shelby Howell is the Star-News All-Area girls cross-country runner of the year.
Howell has dominated the Mideastern Conference since she ran onto the scene as a freshman in 2008. Over the course of her high school career, she has won New Hanover County and conference championships and has continued that success year round as the only female track state champion in New Hanover’s illustrious sports history.
“Shelby is talented, a fierce competitor, and works extremely hard to get to her goal,” said her coach, Nolan Tobey. “She is willing to put in her time.”
“Shelby goes at it hard,” added Tobey. “She doesn’t step onto the track or course without wanting to win first place. She hates to lose.”
The numbers don’t lie. Throughout the season, Howell won approximately 75 percent of the races she entered. She cruised to win the Class 4A regional, leading New Hanover to a third-place team finish. She finished 19th in the state meet.
And she spent most of her senior year running with the school’s boys team. Not only in races, but in preparation as well.
“Running with the guys worked out because it drove me to compete to be better,” said Howell. “Through the workouts, they drove me to be as good as I can be. Everything we did was a competition.”
And how did Howell fare against her gender counterparts?
“I have beaten most of the guys,” said Howell. “But ultimately, we were working together to get better.”
Her hopes are that her new training regimen will cross over into the spring. In an era of constant distraction, Howell continues to stay the course, determined to accomplish the goals set by herself, not by others.
“I strongly believe that you should do it for yourself, not because your mom or dad or anyone else said so,” said Howell. “Listen to yourself. Don’t let what somebody thinks affect you. Keep going.”
Clemson, Appalachian State and Manhattan are among the bevy of Division I schools looking at Howell for her future running.
With her departure, Tobey hopes that Howell’s presence has left a significant imprint on his team going forward.
“She is the most decorated girls cross country runner in New Hanover’s history,” said Tobey.
“My message to her is, ‘Thank you for setting the bar so high for our team and representing our school with pride.’”
StarNews All-Area Cross Country
First Team
Shelby Howell, Sr., New Hanover (Player of the Year): Four-time Mideastern Conference champ, won 4A East regional with a PR of 18:29, finished 19th in state meet.
Regan Daughtry, Sr., New Hanover: 14th in 4A East regional with a time of 20:09
Carmen Hilliard, Jr., South Brunswick: 5th in 3A East regional with a 19:58 time.
Kerry Leonard, So., Laney: 8th in 4A east regional in 19:39
Lexi Little, So., Laney: 9th in 4A East regional with a 19:49 time
Abigail Rackley, So., Laney: 13th in 4A East regional, finished with a 20:01 time.
Honorable mention
Topsail: Chandler Combs, Sarah Medlin. East Duplin: Kori Lego. New Hanover: Jessica Adams, Jessica Munoz. Hoggard: Julia Buehler. Laney: Victoria Tronzo.
All-Mideastern Conference
First Team: Regan Daughtry (NH), Ester Fisher (Rose), Shelby Howell (NH), Kerry Leonard (Laney), Lexi Little (Laney), Abigail Rackley (Laney), Hope Rust (New Bern). Second Team: Jessica Adams (NH), Julia Buehler (Hoggard), Holley Ferguson (NH), Erin Naziri (Rose), Morgan Sanderson (Hoggard), Victoria Tronzo (Laney), Marisa Turner (Hoggard). Player of the Year: Shelby Howell (NH). Coach of the Year: Sam Bobbitt (Laney). Team Sportsmanship Award: New Bern
All-East Central Conference
Clinton–Grace Reagan. Croatan–Mary Stegall, Clare, O'Connor, Savanna Pugh, Logan Watson. Richlands–Taeylor Futrell. South Lenoir–Caroline Jones. Swansboro–Brenna Kate Grass, Courtney Waterbury, Mariah Butchko, Jessica Brinson, Kierstyn Horton. Player of the Year: Brenna Kate Grass (Swansboro). Coach of the Year: Susan Teachey (Swansboro).
All-Waccamaw Conference
First Team: Kelly Heyer (NB), Carmen Hilliard (SB), Ashley Sloup (SB), Tori Johnson (SB), Brooke Beasley (SB), Shelly Chavis (WBr), Noelia Silva (WBr), Allison Childress (WBr), Bethany Frasier (WBr), Kasey Piver (WBr).