Oak Ridge runners headed to State
Both Oak Ridge High School cross-country teams will culminate their seasons on the state’s grand stage at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville on Friday.
The Wildcats and Lady Wildcats each placed third at the Region 2-AAA championships on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Knoxville’s Victor Ashe Park.
“It feels good to go back to state (as a team),” Oak Ridge Coach Ed Wright said. “We’re really looking forward to that.”
In the boys’ race, Mason Greenhalgh was Oak Ridge’s top finisher, placing fifth with a time of 16 minutes, 12.96 seconds. He was one of two Wildcats to post a Top 10 finish.
Rhett Hovater claimed 10th place, crossing the finish line in 16:55.86. William Hetrick took 24th place with a time of 18:11.81, Patrik Vodopivec was 26th (18:19.25), Evan Biewer placed 27th (18:21.87), Nolan Riden took 28th (18:36.11), and Zachary Ibanez finished 30th (18:46.17).
The Oak Ridge girls also finished third last week in Knoxville, with all five of their runners finishing in the Top 30.
Lily Tice was the Lady Wildcats’ top finisher, placing seventh with a time of 20:47.93. Emily Edwards was 16th (21:48.42), freshman Brooke Taylor came in 18th (21:53.93), Natalie Adams placed 21st (22:16.80), and Elly Hartman was 27th (25:04.14).
The Class AAA State Championships will be held Friday. The girls’ race starts at 2:50 p.m. ET, and the boys’ race begins at 3:40 p.m.
