Lady Jackets Finish Runner-Up at SMC Cross Country Championship

(Photo by Melissa Godfrey)

The Lady Jackets take a moment to celebrate their runner-up finish at the SMC cross country meet.

By Travis Dockery

Sportswriter

On Wednesday, October 14, the Smoky Mountain Conference Cross Country Championship-Invitational took place at Kituwah Mound Trail in Bryson City, NC, hosted by Swain County High School.

Hayesville High School’s girls team finished a strong second with 48 points and an average time of 25:58, while the boys team placed fifth with 109 points and an average of 19:38.

Freshman Makenna Moss led the Lady Jackets in third overall with a time of 21:47.2. Junior Marlo Joyce followed in sixth at 24:48.3. Sophomore Annie Godfrey took 10th in 26:42.0, sophomore Caroline Wade placed 13th at 27:36.1, and freshman Lily Gordon finished 16th in 28:52.4. Junior Libbie Moore was 21st at 30:22.5, and freshman Kaelyn Cook rounded out the scoring in 24th at 32:51.2.

Cherokee claimed the girls team title with 28 points. Tri-County Early College finished third (72), Robbinsville fourth (87), and Swain County fifth (101).

Sophomore Porter Hood paced the Yellow Jackets in 14th overall at 18:18.0. Senior Jackson Dye took 19th in 19:19.0, senior Parker Hughes placed 21st at 19:35.4, sophomore Evan Burks finished 26th in 20:24.0, and sophomore Garrison Boyer was 29th at 20:32.2. Sophomore Gage Brown followed in 32nd at 20:48.5, and sophomore Brandon Prieto-Rivera placed 33rd in 21:04.5.

Andrews won the boys team title with 38 points, followed by Robbinsville (39), Cherokee (95), and Hiwassee Dam (108). Swain County finished sixth (127).

Next on the schedule for Yellow Jacket runners is the Zombie 5k Run in Cherokee on Saturday, Oct. 24.