Gainesville XC teams compete at Iron Mountain and Summit Conference
The Gainesville cross country teams are pictured here Oct. 23 at the Summit Conference in Conway. Pictured, from left, are: Kneeling: Orion Bradley, Pazlea Foster, Moxie Similkier, Isabelle Workman, Annabell Snelson, Peyton Eslinger, Nina Sponugle and John Botts-Papke. Standing: Archer Luna, Nick Goodson, Brady Myers, Lyle Pippin, Ryder Murphy, Keaton Hand, Zeke Yarger, Avery Rodigue, Alex Esley, Aiden Thome, Aaron Kahl, Jessica Suit, Macray Hambelton, Lyle Pippin, Lillian Hejdak, Kaitlyn Kahl, Chase Luna, Alyssa Smith, Lauren Smith and Laken Suter.
The Gainesville Bulldogs cross country teams competed in the Iron Mountain Run held Oct. 17 at Fordland High School.
Individual medals were awarded to the top 20 finishing times in each division. Teams’ scores were calculated by the finishing times of the first five runners on each team that cross the finish line. The distances measured 3.1 miles for high school and 2 miles for junior high.
The varsity boys team took home the first-place hardware against 15 schools. They were led by medalists Ryder Murphy (3rd overall), Archer Luna (9th), Brady Myers (15th) and Isaac Pippin (19th). Finishing outside of the medals but contributing to the overall team victory were Aaron Kahl (25th), Lyle Pippin (27th), Nick Goodson (36th) and Zeke Yarger (61st).
The varsity girls only had four runners and were not calculated in the team awards, but the individual efforts were very good. The girls were led by medalists Kaitlyn Kahl (8th overall), and Alyssa Smith (18th), followed by Lauren Smith (23rd) and Lakyn Suter (24th).
“Nice work to all of our runners as well as a special congratulations to Ryder Murphy who, for the second time this season, has set the all-time GHS record for cross country with a time of 18 minutes and 9 seconds,” a post on the school’s Facebook page said.
This Monday, Oct. 23, Gainesville teams competed at the Summit Conference cross country meet held at Conway High School.
The boys varsity team took second place, led by Ryder Murphy who finished in 3rd place in 18:55.81. Isaac Pippin also medaled, placing 10th in 20:26.77. Other runners included Archer Luna, 12th place, 20:35.76; Brady Myers, 13th place, 20:38.50; Lyle Pippin, 19th place, 21:32.69; Aaron Kahl, 21st place, 21:48.11; Nick Goodson, 28th place, 22:43.70; and Zeke Yarger, 40th place, 25:58.
The girls varsity team took third place at the Summit Conference meet. They were led by Kaitlyn Kahl, who placed second in 23:06.22. Other runners included Alyssa Smith, 17th place, 29:28.34; Lakyn Suter, 18th place, 29:28.34; Lillian Hejdak, 20th place, 29:54.34; and Lauren Smith, 23rd place, 31:06.45.
The Gainesville girls and boys junior high teams both earned first-place conference trophies. The Gainesville girls were led by Jessica Suit, first place, and Annabell Snelson, second place. Other runners contributing to the win were Nina Sponugle (5th), Peyton Eslinger (6th), Moxie Similkier (10), Isabelle Workman (13th) and Pazlea Foster (20th).
Aiden Thome placed first overall in the junior high Summit Conference race to lead the Gainesville boys to their first-place team trophy. Avery Rodrigue also ran a strong race, finishing in 3rd place. Other runners contributing to the team win were Chase Luna (9th), Keaton Hand (10th) Alex Esley (29th) and Orion Bradley (41st).
Gainesville’s varsity teams will compete at the Class 2 District 2 meet Saturday, Oct. 28 at Jeremy’s Creek Golf Course in Lamar.