Ozark cross country enters a new era this fall with Kyler Turner taking over as head coach of the Tigers and Lady Tigers.

Turner inherits two programs coming off strong 2025 seasons, including a conference championship for the girls and several postseason qualifiers and award winners on both sides.

The Lady Tigers are coming off a season that saw them capture first place at the COC East Championships and fourth at the Class 5 District 2 Championships. Ozark qualified as a team for the Class 5 State Championships, where the Lady Tigers finished 14th overall.

Ozark also competed well against large fields throughout the season, finishing 12th out of 31 teams at the Missouri Southern Stampede and fifth out of 21 teams at the Gans Creek Classic.

While several key seniors graduated, the Lady Tigers return Grace Smith, who earned honorable mention all-conference, all-district and Southwest Region honors as a sophomore last season.

The boys also put together a strong 2025 campaign. Ozark finished third out of 27 teams at the Gans Creek Classic, 12th out of 35 at the Missouri Southern Stampede and 18th out of 83 teams at the Chile Pepper Festival.

The Tigers went on to finish fourth at the COC East Championships and sixth at the Class 5 District 2 Championships.

Several postseason honorees return to help lead the boys this fall. Garrett Stafford earned honorable mention all-conference, all-district and second-team Southwest Region honors as a junior last season. Andrew Ashley earned all-district and Southwest Region honorable mention honors as a sophomore.

With returning postseason experience on both teams and a new head coach leading the program, Ozark will look to build on last fall’s success as the Tigers and Lady Tigers begin their first season under Turner.