Gainesville runners shine at Bulldog Classic XC meet
Times photo Jenny Yarger Gainesville cross country seniors honored Gainesville senior cross country team members were honored during the Gainesville Bulldog Classic meet held last Saturday. Pictured, from left, is: Lacy Green, Bryar Swartz, Kyle Green, Melinda Vaneperen, Jaxon McQuigg, Josh Luna, Archer Luna and Heather Luna.
Runners, parents, coaches and cross country fans filled Benton Breeding Stadium Saturday, Sept. 26, for the Gainesville Bulldog Classic cross country meet. Near-perfect weather provided ideal conditions for the day’s races, which included competitors ranging from third grade through varsity.
Nearly 100 Gainesville runners competed in the meet, which began at 9 a.m. with 1.5-mile elementary races for boys and girls.
Gainesville elementary girls competing were Adeline Pine, Kallie Risley, Emilie Vanderveen, Braylee Twitty, McKinley Thomas, Adele Hand, Ellie Gilmore, Emmylou Fullilove, Willow Young, Morgana Lowery, Bonnie Workman and Maryann Curtright.
Gainesville boys were Isaac Cox, Cameron Overcast, Garett Strain, Bentley Knapp, Mossy Vander Veen, Rothgar Durham-Raley, Daniel Schniedermeyer, Isaiah Smith, Hudson James, Jaxson Hill, Kate Thomas, Karter Bailey, Mikey Laird and Archer Walrath.
The Gainesville elementary boys finished third as a team, while the Lady Bulldogs elementary captured first place.
Junior high runners followed the elementary races.
Gainesville junior high boys earning medals were Warren Estes, sixth; Brody Cooper, eighth; Weston Strain, 11th; and Hunter Smart, 15th. The Bulldogs finished second in the team standings.
Piper Riff, 11th, and Aaliyah Irwin, 14th, earned medals for the Gainesville junior high girls, who finished fourth as a team.
The varsity runners then took to the course for a challenging 3.1-mile race. The Gainesville boys claimed first place in the team standings.
Six Gainesville boys finished among the top 20 and earned medals. Freshman Aidan Thome led the way with a third-place finish, followed by Cayden Emrick in fourth, Archer Luna in sixth, Danny Mason in ninth, Corbin Dees in 13th and Zaiden Rodrigue in 14th.
Gainesville junior Jessica Suit turned in a standout performance in the varsity girls race, winning the individual title in 22:17 on the hilly course.
Other Gainesville girls earning medals were Annabell Snelson, seventh; Isabelle Workman, 11th; Rachel McGinnis, 12th; and Calla Cochran, 19th. The Lady Bulldogs finished second in the team standings behind Norwood.
Before the varsity races, Gainesville honored senior runners Archer Luna, Bryar Swartz and Jaxon McQuigg and their parents.