Kituwah Farm – Freshman Arizona Blankenship had a phenomenal Middle School career. Saturday Blankenship wasted little time starting the ground work for her High School career. In only her first High School race Blankenship broke the Swain High School Cross Country record, which had stood since 1990. Hall of Famer Wendy Trehern Myers set the record at 19:41, which until Saturday had stood untouched. With Myers on hand to cheer her on Blankenship finished the course in a time of 19:32.20, setting a new school mark and taking top honors on day.
Blankenship’s win was only part of the story, the rest was turned in by her teammates as the Lady Devils (19) rolled to an easy win over Smoky Mountain (54) and Murphy (59). Emily Ulaner took 2nd place overall with a time of 21:36.2, while Gracie Monteith (22:37) and Lily Bjerkness (22:41) finished 5th and 6th overall. Sienna Hackshaw rounded out the top 10 for the Lady Devils by finishing 9th overall.
