Anderson County runners ‘not looking to do anything easy’
For the second consecutive week, Anderson County High School’s cross country teams ran in rainy conditions.
In better weather, the 5K course at Cherokee Farms is ideal for runners looking to post personal best times. But rain slowed the pace Saturday.
“It’s no fun running in the rain, especially on a course like Cherokee Farms,” ACHS coach Derek Wallace said. “It’s an easy course. It’s flat and people go in there looking for personal bests.
“But if you’re in a sport where you run long distances, you’re not looking to do anything easy.”
The Lady Mavericks, who are ranked third in the state in the A/AA rankings, had five athletes compete in the varsity race Saturday and four of those five runners posted season best times.
Kaitlyn Fisher led the way for Anderson County as she crossed the finish line in 10th place, posting a time of 20 minutes, 20 seconds. Ava Moody recorded a season best finish as she completed the course in 20:35 and came in 13th. Marley Caldwell had a season best (22:39) and finished 47th. Emily Boring finished 105th and had a time of 24:36, a season best mark. Morgan Lindsay (26:15) as she came in 129th and logged her best time of the 20:22.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks (the No. 10 team in the state’s A/AA rankings) six athletes run the varsity race and three, including Conner Chandler, Vance Laster and Jaxon Taylor posted their best time of the 2022 campaign.
Chandler was ACHS’s top finisher as he came in 34th overall and had a time of 17:55. Laster (18:34) finished 60th. Ben Clotfelter was 75th and completed the course in 19 minutes, 4 seconds. Ryan Basford came in 95th. Ethan Bolton finished 99th while Taylor finished 119rh and a season best 20:26.
The Mavericks and Lady Mavericks will run at Johnson University Saturday.