Solid Finishes for HHS Cross Country Runners

Sophomore Eli Cheeks emerges from the pack to be Hayesville's top finisher.

By Travis Dockery

Sports Writer

The Hayesville High School boys cross country team finished fourth in its classification Saturday at the WNC Cross Country Carnival at Jackson Park, while the girls placed 17th.

Sophomore Eli Cheeks led the Yellow Jackets boys, taking 14th in 18 minutes, 32.50 seconds. Fellow sophomore Porter Hood was 26th in 19:06.30, followed by senior Parker Hughes in 38th at 19:29.81. Seniors Jackson Dye (20:16.03) and sophomore Evan Burks (20:16.05) rounded out the scoring five in 56th and 57th.

 Lady Jacket Lily Gordon holds off competitors to score points for the team.

Sophomore Garrison Boyer (21:39.99), sophomore Brandon Prieto-Rivera (22:21.83) and senior Robert Manning (26:54.02) also competed.

Freshman Makenna Moss paced the girls with a fifth-place finish in 21:58.23. Sophomore Caroline Wade (27:21.68) and junior Marlo Joyce (27:23.93) finished 97th and 99th. Sophomore Annie Godfrey (27:50.06) and freshman Lily Gordon (28:04.60) completed the scoring group.

Freshmen Kaelyn Cook (30:07.05) and junior Libbie Moore (30:17.50) also ran.

The Yellow Jackets next compete Saturday, Sept. 12, in Swain County.