By DANTON MCDIFFETT
Assistant Cross Country Coach
MCPHERSON -- Due to the cancellation of high school events at Lawrence’s popular Rim Rock course, several large, strong cross country teams competed at McPherson’s Wall Park on Thursday. Salina Central’s girls varsity was the only Mustang squad to tally a team score, finishing in eighth place.
William Griffith led the pack for the early miles and ended up in third. He recorded 17:34 in the varsity boys’ race to place third, pacing the SCHS squad. Isaac French’s time of 18:33 was good enough to earn the 12th place medal. Other runners were Zack Tibbits, who finished 28th in 19:32, and Alex Shea, with a time of 22:48 and 64th place.
Cora White led the Mustang girls’ squad, finishing in 22nd place with her time of 23:52. Close behind in 25th was Araceli Davila, who ran 24:15. Elizabeth Young’s time of 27:03 placed her 46th. Taylor Helton and Emily Strommen rounded out the team. Helton placed 57th in 29:41 and Strommen was 60th in 31:16.
Five junior varsity runners competed in the girls and boys races. Angel Mendenhall’s 50th-place finish was the best for either team. She completed the 5K route in 33:46. Amelia Coykendall ran 39:40 to place 61st, followed by Alison Coykendall, who finished in 62nd at 40:43.
Nick Carano’s 27:30 effort was good for 67th. Shawn Pyeatt struggled with a sore back, but ran with a lot of heart for 71st position in 29:16.
The Mustangs’ next meet will be at Junction City on Oct. 3.