And they’re off…

Cross Country teams race to the finish line

By Emolyn Liden
Sentinel Writer

Last Wednesday the middle and high school cross country teams met at Konehete Park in Murphy to compete in the fifth meet of the season.

With conference just a few weeks away, the teams are serious about advancing to regional, and state.  “After conference, we face the regional meet on Oct. 31 and the state meet on Nov. 7 if we qualify,” said Coach Forrister.  “The season is going well. We have several runners working very hard to reach their potential. Our teams have shown some improvements since the beginning of the season.”

”We gotta move the team up as a group.  We are working harder now,” Coach Pipes added about the Murphy teams.
The runners warmed-up on the many trails circling the park and convened on the starting line to wait for the signal to begin.  “Cross Country meets are fun because as a spectator you have to run to different places on the course in order to cheer for the runners,” one fan said.  “Before you know it they are racing back to the finish line!”

This proved true as first place over-all was taken by, Tyler Breedlove from Hayesville, who sprinted to the finish line with a time of 16:59.  The top boy scores are as follows: William Yates 17:39, Tyler Massey 17:40, Ty Andrews 18:00, Hamilton Boxberger 18:03, Creighton Boxberger 18:06, Trent Tatham 18:08, Robert Vinson 18:26, Dylan Johnson 18:35, and Jedd Griffin 18:37.

Running competitively taxes not only the body but also the mind.
“During the race I tell myself that I can do it, to just keep going,” said Tara Wickersham, a junior at Hayesville.  “I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish.”

The goals the girls set for themselves help them run faster.  “I try to catch the girl infront of me before I cross the finish line,” said Emilie Craven a junior at Murphy.  “Running is one of the most tiring sports.  When I finish I feel good because I’ve worked hard.”

Brittany Henry, also a junior at Murphy has been running since the 6th grade.  “It’s a good way to stay in shape,” she said and also added “Our team is supportive of each other.  We warm-up together, encourage each other, and after the race we’ll talk about how we did.”

Robbinsville High School girls team excelled during the race demonstrating tough competition as the team won the top five overall places.  First place over-all was achieved by Tacey Tramell with a time of 20:04. The top girls scores are as follows: Chantel Collins 21:49, Lauren Griggs 21:50, Lendy Cronk 21:51, Kristi Burchfield 21:57, Emilie Craven 22:22, Brittany Henry 22:35, Jordyn Thompson 22:46, Page Jackson 22:53, Becca Parris 22:55.