Warriors' efforts please coaches in cross country meet

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 3, 2013 1:48 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

If life in the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A conference has taught Eastern Wayne anything, it's that in the world of cross country the gap between a 4-A school and a 3-A school isn't always that wide.

The Warriors placed two runners among the top 10 in the boys' race and finished third in the team standings. The Warrior girls placed third as a team and had one runner in the top 10.

South Central and J.H. Rose won the boys' and girls' team portion of the meet, respectively. Non-conference members Goldsboro and North Lenoir also participated.

The Falcons' Jordan Tyson was the top male runner with a time of 19 minutes, 12 seconds. The Warriors' Videll Wright (19:41) and Timmy Cooper (21:04) placed second and fourth, respectively.

"We've enjoyed running against the 4-A teams in our conference," Eastern Wayne boys' head coach Sydney Myers said. "The only difference between us and the top teams in that 4-A conference is only one or two runners and the kids know that now.

"Just about every time out we beat one of the 4-A teams. We didn't today because we have some kids out with injuries, but they know they can do it."

North Lenoir's Will Hardy (21:36) crossed the line in seventh place.

J.H. Rose had six girls to finish among the top 10.

South Central's Chloe Cox (23:40) and Claudia Cox (22:47) were first and third, respectively. J.H. Rose's Erin Naziri finished in second place with a time of 22:42.

Eastern Wayne's Morgan Exum (26:39) earned a ninth-place finish.

"Morgan Exum on the girls' side has worked extremely hard," Myers said. "Her times are dropping. We hope we're peaking at the right time for our conference and the regionals, and the county meet. We're happy with where we are."