Hayesville (Special from Coach Latter)
Using a patient strategy that had most of the Lady Devils passing runners in droves during the last mile, Swain placed second overall with a score of 70 points at Wednesday’s Carney Classic in Hayesville, 34 behind Smoky Mountain. Tuscola (88), Hayesville (100), Murphy (117), Towns County (Georgia), and Franklin rounded out the full scoring squads, while runners from Andrews, Highlands, and Cherokee also competed.
Running on a course famous for its incredible views and brutal, 144-foot ascent up Chatuge Dam, the Lady Devils strategically worked their way through the field. Blair Allman made a strong move in the last 800 meters to take 9th place overall in a personal best time of 22:25, while Lauren Shell almost matched it to finish 11th two seconds behind. The biggest change for the Lady Devils in recent weeks has been the improved performance of their number 3, 4, and 5 runners, and this meet proved no different. Tori Swartz ran a new lifetime best 23:41 to take 20th, followed immediately by Erin Zwick (23:42) and Autumn Demonet (23:46) in 21st and 22nd, respectively. Summer Hight and Abbe Kirby also had outstanding runs, finishing in times of 26:28 and 28:10.
Swain will now try and ride their momentum into next Wednesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference Meet in Cherokee.
Blair Allman and Lauren Shell compete in a meet earlier this season, Allman & Shell were the Lady Devils top two finishers at Hayesville