Cullowhee (Special to MaroonDevils.com) –
After only a week of competition, the Lady Devils Cross Country Team has firmly established their dominance in the western North Carolina region. Led by senior veteran Shelby Hyatt, the Swain girls won their event with a margin of 38 points over nearest competitor Franklin High School. Hyatt’s seventh place finish in 21:27.2 was quickly followed by freshman standout Aylan Meyers in 11th place at 22:03.6. This is where the fun began. Hot on Meyers’ heels was Maleeah Langstaff in 12th place at 22:11.9, Lynsey Hicks in 13th place at 22:17.4, and senior Madison Travitz in 14th place at 22:22.7 – a grouping that essentially guaranteed Swain’s win. Rounding out Swain’s top seven runners were Bryar Buchanan in 40th position and veteran runner Jenna Cruthchfield.
Ninth grader Emma Dingle led the Lady’s Junior Varsity squad with a time of 27:34.4 followed by Eliza Watson in at 29:01.1, Serina Holt at 29:41.6, Ala Cruz at 33:29.3, and Cassy Ford at 43:00.0. Girl’s Head Coach Brennae Edwards said “this is exactly what we’ve been working toward since June and it’s really just one more step toward our ultimate goal of a state championship”.
In the boy’s race the Maroon Devils move up to fourth place overall and every one of the scoring top five runners managed to improve on last weeks’ time. In sixth place overall, was perennial favorite Parker Chatham with a time of 17:42.8 taking an impressive 15 seconds off his previous weeks’ score. Hot on Chatham’s heels was newcomer Dwight Winchester running an 18:56.9 in his second race of the season. He was followed in quick succession by Ry Hester at 19>01.6 – 21 seconds better than last weeks’ performance. Junior Darren Blankenship was two places back with a new seasonal best of 19:11.6. Swain’s fifth and final scoring runner was veteran stalwart Raine Bradley who crossed the finish line in 20:05.9. Junior Brett Treadway slashed 34 seconds off his season best by running a 20:22.9 and was followed by freshman Brady Kirkland at 20:55.4. Other Swain finishers included Dustin Leo who completed the course in 22:40.2, Jessee Steele at 22:44.1, Brendan Ulaner at 22:50.1, Cameron Travitz, Daniel Ammons, and Cody Letterman.
Boy’s Head Coach Peter Julius commented that he was extremely pleased with the enormous improvement in his varsity runners’ times. “This is a very young team with only one senior in our top five and they have tremendous room for growth and improvement. At the rate they’re going, they have an excellent chance to qualify for the state championships.