Jones sets HMS record as Yellow Jackets boys win Keith Payne Invitational

(Photo by Hilary Goodrich) Left, 7th grader Gage Jones and right 10th grader Eli Cheeks. New and former school record holders.

By Travis Dockery

Sports writer

BRYSON CITY, N.C. — Gage Jones set a Hayesville Middle School record, and the Yellow Jackets boys captured the team title Saturday at the Keith Payne Invitational.

Jones won the boys 2-mile race in 11:04.92, breaking the school mark previously held by Eli Cheeks from 2024. Hayesville placed all five scorers in the top 11 and totaled 26 points, 43 ahead of the runner-up team.

The meet, held in Swain County and named for the late Swain coach Keith Payne, is run on the same course that will host the conference championship later this season.

Eli Danico finished third in 11:18.99. Jackson Badger was fourth in 11:23.72 after going to the front early and helping set the pace. Caiden Curtis placed seventh in 11:45.59, and Colton Crawford was 11th in 11:56.67.

Other Hayesville boys finishers were Nash Carter, 16th, 12:08.08; Deacon Dye, 20th, 12:23.84; Bentley Smith, 24th, 12:37.65; Ladyn Giddens, 25th, 12:43.40; Martin Ledford, 28th, 12:52.53; Isaac “Townes” Lomauro, 35th, 12:55.38; Salvadore “Gabe” Garcia, 67th, 14:23.87; Jackson Hucks, 70th, 14:26.62; Wyatt Smith, 95th, 17:00.37; and Amos “Reese” Crowder, 106th, 18:45.87.

The Hayesville girls finished fifth among nine scoring teams.

Newcomer Olivia Ledford led the Yellow Jackets, placing 16th in 13:51.28 and earning 14 scoring points. Ava Burns was 32nd in 15:19.58, Gracie Taylor 34th in 15:21.68, Allie Godfrey 39th in 15:44.31 and Savanna Frey 57th in 16:13.56.

Hayesville next competes at the Murphy Bulldog XC Open on Saturday, Sept. 19. The boys race is scheduled for 8 a.m. with the girls at 8:30 a.m.