SHS girls finish strong to take fifth in Metro Cross Country

In the girls division Salem was fifth among 18 teams and Glenvar took fifth. Anna Pitts was Salem’s top runner with a 24^th place finish in a time of 21:56. Kaitlynn Wolfe of Blacksburg was the individual winner at 18:54. Also scoring for Salem were Alyssa Ingerson in 26^th, Claire Peterson in 33^rd, Emma Chamberland in 43^rd and Carolina Bowen in 64^th place.

Salem defeated two regional competitors, William Byrd and Pulaski. That’s important because the top three in Region 4D advance to the state and Blacksburg is also in the region.

“Pitts’ finish was the deciding factor in our fifth place finish, two points over William Byrd  and 14 points ahead of Pulaski,” said Salem coach Mark Ingerson. “This team has a flair for the dramatic that we hope continues at regions.”

Glenvar’s girls were led by Becky Linkous, who was 43^rd. Also scoring were Kailee Sesler, Madison Osburn, Isabelle Pope and Alyssa Meadows.

In the boys’ race Salem was 14^th and Glenvar was 23^rd among 25 teams. Blacksburg also won the boys race and the winning time was 16:14 by James River’s Will Miller.

Gaven Conner was first for Salem at 18:31, finishing 49^th among 215 runners. Also scoring were Aiden Sable, Kirill Daniel, Elijah Hairston and Nathan Helems.

Dustin Wade led Glenvar with a time of 18:51 for 67^th. Also scoring were Bryant Loftis, Brendan Killeen, Carsen Cain and Chris Cockes.

The Highlanders competed in the Three Rivers District meet at Green Hill Park on Tuesday, but results were too late for publication. The Region 2C meet will be at Green Hill next Wednesday, November 1.

The River Ridge District does not have a district meet. The Spartans will next run in the Region 4D meet November 1 at Pulaski’s Randolph Park.