By Brian Hoffman
The Salem and Glenvar cross country teams competed in the Alleghany Invitational at the Jackson River Sports Complex in Covington last Saturday, and both teams had some good times.
Christiansburg swept the meet, winning team titles in both the boys’ and girls’ races. There were 19 complete teams in the boys’ race and 14 in the girls’ race.
Salem took third in the boys’ race while Glenvar was ninth. The overall winner was Lawson Mecom of Christiansburg with a time of 15:56. The Blue Demons won the boys’ varsity race with 50 points, followed by Cave Spring with 125 and Salem with 152.
The Spartans top finisher was Walker Peterson, who finished 14th among 152 runners with a time of 17:29. Carson Tucker was next for Salem in 29th place and also scoring for the Spartans were Alex Helems in 30th, Zane Easter in 38th and Lance Toapanta in 52nd.
For Glenvar, Heath Bowker was 17th overall with a time of 17:37. Next was Davis Norman in 28th and also scoring were Caeden Bowker in 31st, Charlie Horrell in 49th and Tyler Davis at 110.
“The course was mostly shaded and consisted of two large loops around the park,” said Glenvar coach Amanda Spradlin. “It is a fast course as it is very flat and several of our runners took this as an opportunity to improve their times.”
Kiera Lowman of Alleghany, a freshman, won the girls varsity race with a time of 18:41. Glenvar was 10th and Salem did not have a complete team.
Glenvar’s Joanna Killeen was 39th among 128 girls with a time of 22:17. Also scoring were Everly Shanks in 38th, Molly McCroskey in 54th, Lauren Michael in 69th and freshman Anna Hall in 74th place.
Salem had four individuals run and Brooke Bowers led the Spartans with a 29th place finish in 21:48. Elizabeth Bocock was 41st, Ryan Long was 56th and Callie Conner was 77th.
Salem’s next meet will be October 1 in the Great American Cross Country race in Cary, North Carolina while Glenvar returns to action on October 5 at Camp Alta Mons in Montgomery County.
