ECC runners battle challenging course at C.B. Aycock

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on September 12, 2013 1:47 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- A hot, humid day.

A tricky course.

And good competition.

Runners found all those factors rolled up into one during an Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference cross country meet at Charles B. Aycock on Wednesday afternoon.

South Central set the pace in each race.

Led by sophomore Jordan Tyson, the Falcon boys had five runners finish among the top eight and collected 23 points compared to 44 for runner-up C.B. Aycock. Tyson emerged the top individual runner with a time of 19 minutes, 19 seconds.

Eastern Wayne was third with 72 points, followed by D.H. Conley with 108.

On the girls' side, South Central's tandem of Chleo Cox and Claudia Cox crossed the line first and second, respectively, within nearly two minutes of each other. The Falcons posted a meet-low 20 points, followed by Eastern Wayne (54 points), Aycock (74) and D.H. Conley (78).

"I'm tired," Aycock sophomore Joseph Mooneyham said as he crossed the finish line and ripped off his tank top.

"It was a good run, gave it all I could. The heat was just killer. I was a little discouraged the first little bit (of the race) because I could see him (Tyson) in front of me. They (South Central) have a really good, strong team, but I tried to fight my way through."

Mooneyham posted a season-best, second-place effort with a time of 20:46. Fellow sophomore John Parrish wound up fourth in 21:13. Jake Naughton (22:27), Zack Davis (22:34) and Conner Crandall (22:43) rounded out the Golden Falcons' team score.

Eastern Wayne's Tim Cooper continued a consistency he's established throughout the season. The returning starter placed seventh in 22:09 and found the Aycock course a little dicey in spots.

"Hills are everywhere," Cooper said as sweat poured down his face. "You have to sprint up one and sprint back down. There are plenty of roots so you have to watch your step. It's very easy to slip or trip out there.

"Coming down one hill there was a bunch of dirt and gravel at the bottom. I nearly slipped there going down full speed."

The Warriors' Zack Evans took 10th overall in 22:24. Josh Bartz (23:07), Andrew Lockerby (23:54) and Jansen Hayes (26:28) completed the team's five-runner score.

When the N.C. High School Athletic Association announced its latest realignment plans that created the split league, coaches in many sports expressed some disapproval.

That's not the case now.

The added competition, says EW head coach Vince Beasley, has provided some motivation during meets this season. The Warriors had three runners -- Cristela Rochelle, Morgan Exum and Veronica Makdad -- to place among the top 10.

"I wasn't sure if I'd like it at first, but I like the fact we've got some schools that are putting pressure on us to perform a little better," Beasley said. "We've got some 3-A schools we can compete with realistically and some 4-A schools that are pushing us. I was very pleased with how they ran (today) and I think probably half of them got a personal best today."

Rochelle captured third overall in 25:33.

Aycock had two runners -- Mariah McHale and returning starter Cady Sheeks -- to post top-10 times. Teammates Emily Waters and Jasmin Turner ended up 15th and 17th, respectively.

"They're doing well, they're improving each week and working hard," CBA head coach Sheila Covar said. "Their times keep coming down so I know we're going to get better and better. It was competitive ... plenty of runners to push them on."