Hunt captures boy's ECC win

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 15, 2008 1:46 PM

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Wilson Hunt came ready to run, and the Warriors' effort was unmatched by Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference opponents Charles B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne and meet invitee Wayne Christian on Tuesday.

Hunt captured the meet with 41 points. Wayne Christian grabbed second with a team score of 42, Eastern Wayne tallied 47 points to take third.

"We have some kids out with injuries, and others that have been busy with school lately, but those aren't excuses that I want to hear," said Eastern Wayne head coach Sidney Myers. "Hunt came here today, and they were focused and ready to run their best."

Pierre Surrette captured first-place individual honors with a time of 18 minutes, 3 seconds. The senior raced to the front of the field in the first 100 yards and never looked back.

"I have learned how to run fast while pacing myself," said Surrette. "Last year I would sprint to the front in the beginning and get tired, and finish third or fourth. Now I know how to stay in front."

Despite winning the race by 24 seconds, Surrette did not meet his own lofty expectations.

"My goal is to make it to states, and I have already run a 17:14 once this year," said Surrette. "I would really like to get down around 16:40 over the next couple weeks."

Wayne Christian was paced by Justin Brathwaite's time of 18:27. Eastern Wayne was led by Russell Turner's third-place time of 18:35.

"I felt pretty good, even though it was hot, I felt like I ran pretty well," said Turner. "Running with a great runner like Pierre makes everyone better. I knew I was running to hopefully finish second, but I still had to push myself."

Charles B. Aycock was led by Bobby Cox's 12th-place finish (20:36).

On the girls' side of the meet the Golden Falcons soared to a first-place finish with 35 team points. Eastern Wayne finished second with 38 team points, and Hunt came in third with 57.

Lorena Estrada was the top Aycock runner with a fourth-place finish in a time of 23:38. Megan Hales was fifth in 23:58 and Caroline Schlaeppi earned a seventh-place finish with a time of 24:23. Kendra Speight was eighth to round out the top-10 for Aycock.

The Warriors' Kelly Gregorcyk ran her personal best time in her final meet on her home course. The senior finished second overall in 22:17.

"I was happy to run my best time on what was basically my senior day," said Gregorcyk. "Going into the county meet on Thursday and the conference meet next Tuesday, we all know that we have to continue to improve."

Leanna Kirkland finished fourth overall in 22:54 seconds. Sarah Ricker (10th overall), Lani Frickes (11th overall) and Shannon Rouse (13th overall) completed the Warriors' scoring.

"Kelly has been working hard lately and today she showed what she can do," Myers said. "To run her best time on a tough course like the one we have is great."

Wayne Christian's Jennifer Price finished third overall to lead the Eagles.

C.B. Aycock, Eastern Wayne and Wayne Christian will travel to Waynesborough Park on Thursday for the annual Bill Kemp Wayne County Invitational.