Hayesville Middle School Boys Roll at Murphy; Jones Takes Individual Title

(Photo by Hilary Goodrich) Members of the Hayesville Middle School boys cross country team get off to a quick start at the Murphy Cross Country meet.

By Travis Dockery

Sportswriter

Hayesville Middle School cross country put together another dominant morning Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Bulldog XC Open on the Murphy High School campus.

The Yellow Jacket boys claimed the team title with 25 points; 51 points clear of runner-up Swain (76). Gage Jones won the 3,200-meter race in 12:04.30, and Hayesville packed eight runners into the top 15.

Jackson Badger finished fourth in 12:30.80. Caiden Curtis was fifth in 12:40.70, Eli Danico seventh in 12:43.30, and Colton Crawford eighth in 12:55.40 to complete the scoring five.

Nash Carter (ninth, 13:03.10), Deacon Dye (11th, 13:10.70), and Ladyn Giddens (13th, 13:13.40) added to the depth that produced the lopsided team score.

Isaac “Townes” Lomauro (19th, 13:35.00) and Martin Ledford (20th, 13:44.00) also cracked the top 20. Bentley Smith (30th), Jackson Hucks (40th), Salvadore “Gabe” Garcia (47th), Wyatt Smith (62nd), and Amos “Reese” Crowder (72nd) rounded out the Hayesville boys field.

The girls race followed. Ava Burns led Hayesville in 20th place at 16:02.30. Gracie Taylor was 23rd in 16:16.50, Natalie Wilson 29th in 17:00.00, and Savanna Frey 34th in 17:15.60.

Hayesville now has a 10-day break before traveling to Robbinsville for its final regular-season meet. The Yellow Jackets then turn toward the Smoky Mountain Conference championship at Swain on Saturday, Oct. 10.