Clinton cross country goes the distance at The Mounds
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Kenzlee Hutchison completed The Mounds in 29:50.44. - Tony Cox
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Max Bostrom completed The Mounds in 22:24.43. - Tony Cox
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Alli Hollifield completed The Mounds in 24:54.93. - Tony Cox
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Lucas Gates completed The Mounds in 23:13.93. - Tony Cox
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Eva Allen completed The Mounds in 31:12.33. - Tony Cox
As the 2024 high school cross country season progresses, Clinton High School coach Tim Kumes is pleased with his teams’ performances. Both the Dragons and Lady Dragons recently competed in a new race on a new course at The Mounds in Oak Ridge, alongside several other teams.
It was the first time in over 20 years that Oak Ridge High School hosted a cross country meet. The school’s coach, Ed Wright, earned high praise for organizing the event.
“Ed did a great job. It was a great course, and the meet was well-organized,” Kumes said of the 5,000-meter course.
The Dragons finished 13th overall on Saturday, with Cooper Bostrom leading the way, clocking in at 19 minutes, 45.24 seconds to place 40th. Caleb Holt finished 72nd with a time of 21:17.68. Max Bostrom came in 97th, completing the course in 22:22.43. Lucas Gates (102nd) finished in 23:13.93, while Tyler Gomez (121st) and Gideon Follett (124th) posted times of 26:10.07 and 26:33.93, respectively.
On the girls’ side, Clinton had three runners. Alli Hollifield placed 22nd with a time of 23:54.93. Kenzlee Hutchison finished 62nd, clocking in at 29:50.44, and freshman Eva Allen took 68th ( 31:12.23).
Kumes expressed satisfaction with his teams’ efforts.
“We have some kids who are close to reaching that next level,” he said. “They’re working hard and putting in the time. I’m not sure when they’ll get there—it might be next year for some of them.”
The unfamiliarity with the new course initially made some of the runners nervous, but Kumes said his athletes felt more at ease once the competition started.
“I think kids get nervous before any race,” Kumes said. “But I got there early and walked the course, and some of the kids did too.”
Clinton will compete again today (Wednesday) on another new course at Roane State Community College. The race is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
“When we race again, we’ll be at Roane State, and that’s another new course for us,” Kumes said. “I don’t know much about it, but I know it’s a college course.”
