On the right path - Eastern Wayne sweeps ECC cross-country meet

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on September 20, 2006 2:17 PM

• Print
• Email

PIKEVILLE -- Times were not particularly low across the board in a cross country meet involving Charles B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne at the Golden Falcons' course on Tuesday.

Still, each team came away with plenty of positives after the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference event on a hot, late-summer afternoon.

Eastern Wayne emerged with a pair of wins in the team scoring as the Warrior boys finished with 23 points with the Falcons (47) and Saints (53) taking second and third, respectively.

"Tough conditions today, but we've been working really hard," Eastern Wayne boys coach Vince Beasley said. "We've been running three meets per week and gradually improving. I was pleased that our top five were in the top-eight spots."

Eastern Wayne's girls were just as consistent -- claiming a 24-32 victory over Aycock. With just three runners, Southern Wayne did not qualify for a team score.

"This is a good course, and we knew coming in that our times wouldn't be as fast," Eastern Wayne girls coach Sidney Myers said. "We weren't really concerned with our times today ... just working hard."

Southern Wayne's Allen Bennett, who has now won his last four meets, took first overall in the boys event with a time of 19 minutes.

Bennett pulled away late in the run, but faced a stern challenge from Eastern Wayne's Chris Tesar (19:17) and Aycock's Nik Fredrick (20:31), who suffered a twisted ankle during the race and finished fifth.

"It was hot, so I just took my time and didn't burn myself out," Bennett said. "I picked up my pace later in the race."

Tesar, Tim Wright (19:45) and Steven Henricks (19:52) took the two-through-four spots, while teammates Dustin Rhodes (21:09) and Tyler Thornton (21:09) also finished in the top eight.

Aycock's Eric Dubose (21:09) claimed seventh and Daniel Pennington (22:20) finished 10th.

"Eastern Wayne is going to be tough to beat in this conference," Aycock boys coach Derek Matthews said. "We got a late start, and we should be improved by the end of the year. But it will take a lot to catch them (Eastern Wayne).

"We're young and we should only lose one runner next year."

Southern Wayne's only other top-10 runner was Jay Wilder, who took ninth at 21:43.

"Allen did a great job. We've just got to get our middle of the pack in better shape," Southern Wayne coach Chuck Crumpler said. "They're all working hard. We just need to get our endurance up."

Aycock freshman Caroline Schlaeppi won the girls' meet with a 24:13, while Eastern Wayne's Sarah Ricker (24:51) and Lyddia Hirschy (24:55) followed in second and third.

"Caroline is doing an outstanding job as a freshman," Covar said. "She's learned quickly on how to pace herself and handle the 3.1 miles."

The Warriors went on to take three of the next four spots as Kelly Gregorcyk (26:08), Natalie Taylor (26:19) and Sarah Schley (26:48) secured the win.

Aycock's Megan Hales (25:45) finished fourth, and teammates Jasmine Dobbin (26:39) and Danielle Sealey (27:04) claimed the seventh and 10th spots, respectively.

Southern Wayne's Greta Majerle finished 10th at 27:56 to lead the Saints' effort.

Boys meet

Eastern Wayne 23, C.B. Aycock 47,

Southern Wayne 53

1. Allen Bennett (SW) 19:00

2. Chris Tesar (EW) 19:17

3. Tim Wright (EW) 19:45

4. Steven Henricks (EW) 19:52

5. Nik Fredrick (CBA) 20:31

6. Dustin Rhodes (EW) 21:09

7. Eric Dubose (CBA) 21:09

8. Tyler Thornton (EW) 21:09

9. Jay Wilder (SW) 21:43

10. Daniel Pennington (CBA) 22:20

Girls meet

Eastern Wayne 24, C.B. Aycock 32

1. Caroline Schlaeppi (CBA) 24:13

2. Sarah Ricker (EW) 24:51

3. Lyddia Hirschy (EW) 24:55

4. Megan Hales (CBA) 25:45

5. Kelly Gregorcyk (EW) 26:08

6. Natalie Taylor (EW) 26:19

7. Jasmine Dobbin (CBA) 26:39

8. Sarah Schley (EW) 26:48

9. Danielle Sealey (CBA) 27:04

10. Greta Majerle (SW) 27:56