Cyclones leg out regional championship, girls take third place
Published 1:15 pm Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Photo Contributed The Elizabethton Cross Country team is headed to state as the boys won the Region 1 Class A-AA title while the girls finished third.
Photo Contributed The Elizabethton boys captured first place in the region, led by Riley Vernon, who won the individual title.
Photo Contributed The Elizabethton girls cross country team captured third place in the region to qualify for next week's state tournament in Hendersonville.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Elizabethton Cyclone Cross Country season has been like building the best banana split ever as they just added another layer as the boys captured the regional title and the Lady Cyclone harriers finished third as both teams qualified for next week’s state championship on Friday at Hendersonville.
Now the last layer will be putting a big old cherry on top with a state championship as the girls will hit the course at 2:50 pm Eastern Standard Time while the boys will follow at 3:40 pm Eastern Standard Time.
Led by Riley Vernon, the Cyclones placed four runners in the top 10 as Vernon became the first individual champion to win the regional title since Josh Jaynes did so in 2005. Vernons time was 17:15:70.
Max Garner took third place by crossing the line in a time of 17:55.30, while Cooper Chinault collected sixth overall with a time of 18:08.30. Jerry Behmann wrapped up a 10th place finish in a time of 18:20.10.
Cooper Jack and William Snodgrass finished in the top 25 as Jack wrapped up a 22nd place finish and Snodgrass legged a 23rd place finish with times of 19:02.40 and 19:03.70, respectively. Brian Presley finished 35th with a 19:32.70.
In other categories, the following places were recorded: Maddox Lucas (3rd), Jacob Jenkins (54th), Alex Loughner (21st), John Siepert (33rd), and Skyler Hammond (54th).
David Crockett finished in second behind the Cyclones, while Sullivan East and Volunteer closed out the top four as each team will now advance to the state.
On the girls side, Helen Hackett set the tone with a 10th place finish in a time of 22:22.50 to help propel the Lady Cyclones to their state appearance. Jasey Hyatt and Madeline Isaacs finished in the top 20 as well with Hyatt’s time of 23:05.60 good enough for 15th place, while Isaacs was on Hyatt’s heels with a time of 23:16.80 which secured a 16th place finish.
Ashleigh Hyatt collected a 32nd place finish in a time of 24:46.50, while Adrian Heading claimed 37th in a time of 25:00.60.
Grace Artz (43) and Amberlin Grindstaff (75) closed out the ladies side of the region.
David Crockett took first place while Volunteer crossed in second place. University High finished as the fourth team to qualify for the state meet.
