The Whitefield varsity cross-country team ventured to Rome, GA on Saturday morning, September 28,
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to compete with nearly 50 other teams at the Darlington Cross-Country Festival. Junior Robby Keough led the way for Whitefield, finishing in fifth place overall in the field of 234 varsity boys, with a time of 16:35.
This event marked the midpoint of the season. Darlington High School’s 5K course starts and finishes on the campus athletic grounds but winds through forested areas and includes several steep hills and bridge crossings along the way.
The Whitefield varsity girls contingent was ably represented by a trio of runners, each of whom ran a season-best time. Whitney Merkle (11th) led the way with a time of 23:42, followed by Gabby Boswell (11th) in 24:43. Ansley Guthrie (9th) completed the course in 26:38, a new personal record (PR) for her.
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The varsity boys team had its best showing of the season, with all seven runners turning in strong performances and four of the seven setting PRs (sophomore Brooks Bynum – 20:39; junior Bryce Belyeu - 21:08; freshman Brian Pickens - 22:38; and junior Austin Hoover - 23:06).
Kerry Martin (10th) finished third amongst the Whitefield boys, despite falling and injuring his shoulder on the slippery course. Jacob Fikse (11th) finished just 10 seconds off his PR, with a time of 18:29.
Wrapping up the day, Whitefield’s John Brody Cantrell (10th) and Stephen Bracher (12th) competed in the junior varsity boys open race, with race times of 21:59 and 24:01, respectively.
Next Saturday, October 5, the varsity boys head to Cary, NC to compete against some of the top teams in the country at the Great American Cross Country festival.
to compete with nearly 50 other teams at the Darlington Cross-Country Festival. Junior Robby Keough led the way for Whitefield, finishing in fifth place overall in the field of 234 varsity boys, with a time of 16:35.
This event marked the midpoint of the season. Darlington High School’s 5K course starts and finishes on the campus athletic grounds but winds through forested areas and includes several steep hills and bridge crossings along the way.
The Whitefield varsity girls contingent was ably represented by a trio of runners, each of whom ran a season-best time. Whitney Merkle (11th) led the way with a time of 23:42, followed by Gabby Boswell (11th) in 24:43. Ansley Guthrie (9th) completed the course in 26:38, a new personal record (PR) for her.
The varsity boys team had its best showing of the season, with all seven runners turning in strong performances and four of the seven setting PRs (sophomore Brooks Bynum – 20:39; junior Bryce Belyeu - 21:08; freshman Brian Pickens - 22:38; and junior Austin Hoover - 23:06).
Kerry Martin (10th) finished third amongst the Whitefield boys, despite falling and injuring his shoulder on the slippery course. Jacob Fikse (11th) finished just 10 seconds off his PR, with a time of 18:29.
Wrapping up the day, Whitefield’s John Brody Cantrell (10th) and Stephen Bracher (12th) competed in the junior varsity boys open race, with race times of 21:59 and 24:01, respectively.
Next Saturday, October 5, the varsity boys head to Cary, NC to compete against some of the top teams in the country at the Great American Cross Country festival.