2017-2018 Boys State Champs, Girls 3rd in State
Coach: Ms. Maggie Whitson
Email: marymargaretwhitson@icloud.com
Crockett's Roy claims individual title; Boone boys win Bristol Cross title
Tanner Cook • Updated Sep 22, 2018 at 7:34 PM
tcook@johnsoncitypress.com
BRISTOL — Heat and humidity were the story of the 27th annual Bristol Cross at Steele Creek Park on Saturday morning, but that didn't faze area teams after a great showing at the hilly, double-loop course.
Daniel Boone took home the title on the boys' side, winning comfortably by 32 points over Hardin Valley (60-92).
On the girls' side, David Crockett's Taylor Roy took home the individual title with a time of 19:06. Hardin Valley took the team title with 48 points over Daniel Boone (69 points).
GIRLS RACE
Roy shot out to the lead from the gun and held it for the entire race. Crockett's Rachel Dulaney finished fourth overall in 20:22.
The first Virginian was Patrick Henry's Katherine Grossman, finishing sixth in 20:38.
The spread for the Lady Trailblazers about 1:05 from the first to the fifth runner. The average for Boone was 21:28.
Erin Bruce was first across the line for Boone, finishing in 20:50 in eighth. Patricia Chellah was next in 11th, crossing in 21:12.
Crockett finished in third with 93 points and averaged 21:18.
"My strategy was just to stick with the Catholic girl," Roy said. "I felt really good out there today. I tried to ignore the heat and just race. I had a personal best on the course by a minute, so I was pretty excited."
Knox Catholic's Elanor Mancini (19:24) and Hardin Valley's Cathryn Jardet (20:08) finished second and third, respectively. HV's Ellie Sachmann (20:33) rounded out the top five.
Other notable finishers included Boone's Sheldon Grace (17th, 21:37), Crockett's Emmaline Hulse (19th, 21:38) and Boone's Alanna Cloud (20th, 21:43).
BOYS RACE
Knox Catholic's Jake Renfree dominated the race as expected, cruising across the line in 15:53 for the victory — his second consecutive sub-16 performance at Bristol Cross. Renfree was a 2017 Foot Locker national finalist in San Diego, where he finished fifth.
His big, long stride was flowing across the hilly course and gapped the field by over 30 seconds by the end of the first mile.
"My strategy coming in was relax for the first half mile and see if anyone was going to go with me, and no one didn't," Renfree said. "I was just learning to race by myself today. ... My first race was really bad and I was coming off of being sick, but last week at Trinity/Valkyrie I raced pretty hard and was able to win."
Gabriel Tardy, representing Knoxville Ambassadors, was runner-up at 16:34.
Boone racked up its second win of the season with a great performance despite Chance Bowman collapsing 80 meters from the finish and winding up being the Trailblazers' third man. Teammate Matt Huff picked up Bowman and dragged him across the finish.
"The boys ran their butts off today," Daniel Boone head coach Len Jeffers said. "It was tough conditions, but both teams ran really well."
University High's Porter Bradley debuted in 17:06 for his senior season and was the highest placing local (third overall).
"I felt really happy about my race. It was my first race and I wanted to put up a good result," Bradley said. "I loved this course in middle school and I always did well. I think that's why I wanted to start here."
Holston's Jordan Keith was the first Virginian in 17:08 in fourth. Hardin Valley harrier Nathan Hillis (17:09) placed fifth.
Cherokee's Austin Kirkpatrick was one of the other top local finishers, crossing the line in 17:11 — good for sixth.
The top finisher for Boone was freshman Conner Wingfield in eighth at 17:16.
The Girls traveled to Roanoke, Virginia and ran solid in a very competitive field. Leading the way for the team was Ali Burns, followed by Isabelle Johnson, Anna Bader, Camila Rivas, Anna Davidson and Kirsten Day. The ladies pulled out some new personal bests and executed exceptionally well.
The Boys traveled to Roanoke as well with a solid day in humid conditions and very large, competitive field. Leading the team was Blake Ryan following with tremendous pack running Nick Daniel, Hayden Charles, Will Owen, Bracken Burns, Brant Hare and Thomas Johnson.
The teams will race again on September 22nd, in Bristol. Come out and support your High School teams as they continue their chase to the State Meet. Go, Bucs, Go!
Announcements:
Please note that due to the TSSAA Policy on Outdoor Sports Practice during times of extreme heat, Cross Country practice may be cancelled by the coach or Athletic Director. Please remind athletes to bring a water bottle and to drink plenty of water at school and at home!
Runners - please note that you MUST have a physical and turn in your Emergency Treatment Form ASAP. You cannot participate in a meet until these forms are returned
Directions to University School Cross Country Meets
Weyerhaeuser Park (The old Heritage Park) (1st Annual Redskin Rally)
Take Exit 51 (Wilcox Drive)
Go straight at bottom of exit ramp
Continue on Wilcox Drive for 2 miles (you will pass a BP gas station on your left)
Get in the right lane
As soon as you cross a bridge, turn right onto Jared Drive and take immediate right onto Riverport Road
Go 2 miles, complex is on the right
Holston Dam (Run for the Hills Meet)
Take Bristol Highway. Just before Bristol Speedway take right onto 394. Go straight through red light. Stay on 394 (5/6 miles) to second red light. Take right onto 421. Follow signs to Holston Dam.
David Crockett High School (Santo Cicirello Meet)
Take West Market Street out of town towards Jonesborough. West Market Street becomes Jackson Blvd (2.1 mile). Turn left onto N Washington Drive (0.2 mile). Turn right onto W Main St. (0.8 mile). Continue on Old TN-34 (2.0 mile). David Crockett will be on your right.
Daniel Boone High School (Region and Trailblazer)
Take I-181 N to Exit 42. Turn left. The school is a couple miles ahead on the left.
Winged Deer Park
Take Bristol Highway and Winged Deer Park will be on the left. Take Carroll Creek Road until the boat dock. The race is to the right of the boat dock and pavilion.
Steele Creek, Bristol (Bristol Cross Meet)
Take Bristol Highway to State Street (in Bristol). Turn left on State Street. Stay on State Street bearing left in front of the Walmart. Go past the K-Mart. Turn left at Taco Bell and CVS. Turn left on 126. Steele Creek Park is one mile ahead.
Warriors Path State Park
Take 1-181 towards Kingsport and take Rock Springs Road exit. After you exit turn right onto Moreland Drive. You will pass Sullivan South High School on your left. Continue on road, crossing straight through red light on Ft. Henry Drive and follow road until you reach park. Follow signs.
VA Meets
Turn into the Veterans Administration (VA) from State of Franklin (across from the Mini-Dome at ETSU)
Victor Ashe Park, Knoxville
From downtown Knoxville, take Western Avenue headed west; after approximately four miles, turn right onto Pleasant Ridge Road; go approximately three miles (before Northwest Middle School) and turn left onto Bradshaw Road; park is on immediate right.
Hagan Stone, Greensboro, NC
From I-40 E towards Greensboro merge onto US-220 S via Exit 218A toward US-220 S/Asheboro/I-85-BR S. Merge onto I-85 N via Exit 78. Take the US-421, exit on Exit 126 toward Sanford. Merge onto US-421 S/Joseph M Hunt Jr Expy via Exit 126A toward Sanford. Turn right onto Hagan-Stone Park Road.
