Whiteoak sweeps tri-meet

Wednesday evening at Bright Elementary was a big success for the host Whiteoak cross-country teams, with three Whiteoak teams winning their respective races.

It was the second-ever home meet for the Whiteoak runners, with the Whiteoak varsity boys, varsity girls and junior high boys teams all winning their events.

The Whiteoak boys varsity team finished with 25 points, defeating Lynchburg-Clay (50) and McClain (54).

Leading the way for the young Wildcats was freshman Atlee Carr who finished first overall and running the 3.1 mile course in 19:57. Freshman teammate Zach DeAtley was second at 20:39.

Jacob Campbell and Ryan Roberts, both freshmen, also finished sixth and seventh, respectively, with times of 22:07 and 22:16. Also in the top 10 for Whiteoak was Zach Shannon in ninth (22:22).

Rounding out the Whiteoak team were Chase Butler in 12th (23:47), Logan Cummings in 15th (24:47) and Cody Adams in 16th (26:14).

The Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs had two runners finish in the top 10. Ben Bales came in third at 20:46, followed by teammate Christian Inman in fourth (21:18).

Also racing for the Mustangs were Daniel Toller in 11th (22:32); Corey Mullenix in 14th (24:12); Bryant Constable in 19th (22:07); and A.J. Stroop in 21st (36:23).

The McClain Tigers also had two runners in the top 10. Leading the Tigers was Jacob Badgley in fifth with a time of 21:45, followed by Seth Cross in eighth at 22:21. Jacob Roeder finished 12th at 23:08, followed by teammate Kaleb Harper in 13th at 23:59.

Also racing for the Tigers were Ryan Wilkin, 17th (26:40); Michael Ditmer, 18th (26:43); Noah Scott, 20th (27:30); and Brandon Adams, 22nd (39:10).

For the varsity girls event, the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats ran first through fifth place for a team score of 15, while Lynchburg-Clay and McClain tied for second with 48 each.

Ashleigh Harless was first place overall and led the Lady ’Cats with a time of 22:46. Morgan Thompson was second at 24:12. Third through fifth place also went to the Lady ’Cats, with Maggie Carr finishing third at 25:25, Kattie Taylor in fourth at 27:01 and Regan Bohrer in fifth with a time of 27:06.

Rounding out the top 10 for the Lady ’Cats was Katie Ames in 10th (33:44).

For Lynchburg-Clay, Abby Blankenship finished sixth at 27:08, and Kiah Tissandier came in ninth with a time of 32:20.

McClain’s Natalie Cunningham completed the race in seventh place at 29:30, followed closely by teammate Grace Savage in eighth (29:34).

The junior high boys race was the most competitive of the day, with Whiteoak finishing first with 40 points, Lynchburg-Clay in second at 41 and McClain third with 44.

Greenfield's Cannon Woolridge dominated the difficult course in 12:01 to win the race by over two minutes and 20 seconds. His teammate, Miles McMurry, was second at 14:22.

Whiteoak's top runner was Zach Harless in third with a time of 14:43, and teammate Cody Everhart finished one second later in fourth at 14:44.

Also finishing in the top 10 for the Wildcats were Nick Bailey in eighth (15:59) and Kyler Emery in 10th (16:33).

Other runners for Whiteoak were Nicholas McCann, 15th (19:48); Blake Dickey, 16th (19:51); Trace Thompson, 20th (23:52); and Mason Lehr, 21st (25:20).

Lynchburg-Clay’s top runner was Hunter Balon in fifth (14:45).

Whiteoak will host another meet on Sept. 29th.