Carly Wilkes of Glenvar ran a time of 18:07.30 to win the “Red” division of the Knights Crossing cross country extravaganza at Green Hill Park last Saturday.
Wilkes won the race by 25.2 seconds over second place Zoie Lamanna of Jefferson Forest. A senior, Wilkes has signed to run with Furman University in the fall.
“Carly’s race at Knights Crossing was phenomenal,” said Glenvar coach Amanda Spradlin. “ She maintained a great pace the first two miles and then took off her last mile, shaving six seconds off her time from the State Meet back in April. Her work ethic in practice is impeccable and she is a true leader on our team.”
Glenvar finished 25th as a team in the top division of the Knights Crossing. Also scoring for the Highlanders were Joanna Killeen in 156th place, Molly McCroskey in 165th, Emma Pope in 173rd and Emma Speight in 241st. There were 249 girls in the race as Jefferson Forest won the team title.
“Each of our Highlanders shaved off time from their first meet and continue to get stronger every day in practice,” said Spradlin.
Salem’s girls finished 19th in the Red Division, led by Ryan Long in 64th place. Katelyn Crumpacker was 108th, Elizabeth Bocock was 119th, Brooke Bowers was 121st and Abby Pitts was 151st.
“Every single runner on varsity had season PRs and four of the girls had lifetime PRs,” said coach Kirsten Rezac. “Our top runner, Ellie Fountain, was missing to take the ACT.”
In the boys’ Red Race Salem was 23rd and Glenvar was 34th among 40 teams with Daniel Boone High taking the team title. Tommy Henzey led the Spartans in 81st followed by Walker Peterson in 89th, Carson Tucker in 129th, Lance Toapanta in 170th and Alex Helems in 213th place among 315 runners.
For Glenvar, Daniel Zearfoss place 42nd overall with a time of 17:08.60. Also scoring for the Higlanders were Davis Norman in 98th, Charlie Horrell in 244th, Aiden Woodie in 252nd and Tucker Henderson in 306th.
Salem also ran some athletes in the Black race. Claire Rawlins led the Spartans in the girls’ race and Jordan Poush had the best time among the Salem boys.
Salem was scheduled to run in the Maroon Tide Invitational in Galax on Wednesday of this week and both Salem and Glenvar are entered in the Alleghany Invitational on Saturday, September 25.