PREP CROSS COUNTRY: Runners brave heat at Wayne Country Day

By Aviel Smolka
Published in Sports on September 7, 2018 5:51 AM

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By AVIEL SMOLKA

asmolka@newsargus.com

There was no escaping the heat and humidity during a multi-team cross country meet at Wayne Country Day on Thursday afternoon.

Arendell Parrot Academy had the top individual runners -- Lucas Ouana in the boys with a time of 19 minutes, 16 seconds and Mary Paul in the girls with a 23:42.

Parrott Academy also won the boys' team competition. Both the Patriots and Wayne Country Day scored 39 points, but Parrott won the tiebreaker because it had the sixth-highest finisher.

Faith Christian Academy finished in fourth.

"For as hot as it is, the times were really really good," Wayne Country Day head coach Robert Glass said. "It's been impressive to see because it's been so hot. I'm happy and pleased.

"In this kind of weather nutrition and staying hydrated were huge today."

The Chargers' duo of Connor Bauer and Avery Best came in second and fifth, respectively.

"I could've done better," Best said. "Could've prepared better and drank more water, but it is what it is and I can focus on the next one."

Faith Christian Academy's Kaleb Roberson crossed the finish line in 21:27.

Wayne Country Day won the girls' team competition. Christ Covenant School finished second and Parrott Academy came in third. Faith Christian took fifth.

Eighth grader Danielle Johnston, running for Wayne Country Day, placed second with a time of 24:06. Senior Gray Young complimented Johnston with a fourth-place time of 24:51. Anne Stuart Freemon was fifth in 25:48.

"I think I ran great because it's the first time I've ever come in second place," Johnston said. "It means a lot to come in second because I just feel like I really accomplished it."

"It wasn't my best but I tried my best," Gray said. "It was a pretty good race."

Faith Christian's top runner was Brooke Feeney, who ended up seventh with a time of 27:13. Teammates Samantha Baldwin and Katie Kerr placed eighth and 14th, respectively.