Competing in a packed field at the 1A Cross Country State Championship, the Owensboro Catholic girls’ team finished third overall with a score of 99.
Lexington Christian finished first overall and Beechwood took second.
Leading the way for the Lady Aces was sophomore Peyton Reid, finishing 10th overall and running a 20:43.38 in the 5000 meters. Scarlett Isenbarger (12th, 20:48.29), Caroline Wathen (26th, 21:37.91), Charlie Reid (30h, 21:45.18), and Ainsley Sutter (32nd, 21:49.71) rounded out the team’s top five times.
“Our team did absolutely fantastic,” Owensboro Catholic girls’ head coach Jacob Reid said. “They all gave 100% and you can see it. It was an awesome thing to watch.”
On the boys’ side, the Aces finished 18th, with junior Ben Booker (93rd, 19:24.99) recording the top time on the team. He was followed by Owen Brey (96th, 19:26.80), Simon Thompson (99th, 19:31.05), Patrick Hauke (128th, 20:04.32), and John Wathen (144th, 20:20.36).
After an impressive showing at the region meet last week, Hancock County’s girls’ team finished 12th overall. Anna Stovall (60th, 23:00.15), Isabella Ross (77th, 23:41.12), Ellen Meserve (88th, 23:56.83), Carolina Jones (102nd, 24:28.22), and Lyla DeJarnette (110th, 24:44.52) rounded out the team’s top five times.
For the boys’, both Emmitt Meserve (51st, 18:29.43) and Noah Henson (130th, 20:06.86) competed as individuals.
“Our boys ran really well today. Emmitt ran faster this year on the same course than he did last year,” Hancock County head coach Wes Meserve said. “Noah did really well. On the girls’ side, I think they were so focused on region last week. That was the big race for them. Everybody was quite a bit slower today than what they ran at region last week.”
Class 3A
After winning region last week, the Lady Panthers finished 10th in the Class 3A state meet, while the Daviess County boys’ team took 14th.
Lucy Spaw (24th, 19:42.17) and Asher Alvey (41st, 16:42.78) had the top times for their respective teams.
“We came in ranked farther back in the pack,” Daviess County head coach Josh Bratcher said. “We ran strong, together and were able to move up some places and positions.”
Ellie Girten (55th, 20:38.55), Chaney Heady (77th, 21:00.00), Haley Wolfe (85th, 21:09.96), and Mallory Raines (100th, 21:22.85) rounded out the girls’ top five times. Entering the race, the game plan was to control the first mile and a half and then depending on their legs, to make their move.
Lucca Neves (46th, 16:54.51) had the second fastest time for the boys and was followed by Nikolas Hodskins (88th, 17:33.94), Ben Nunley (137th, 18:05.75), and Camryn Edge (157th, 18:21.82).
“I think we have enough speed in our young legs to take the team far,” Bratcher said. “Honestly, I think we have better seasons coming than even what we have had this year.”
Finishing two spots back of the Panthers was Apollo, with Emmitt Brock (17th, 16:11.83) leading the way.
“The goal was to see how high we could place,” Apollo boys head coach Daniel Southard said. “We’re pretty young, but I think they ran really strong and for each other. At the end of the day, that’s all I can ask for.”
Finishing second on the team was Noah Gray (27th, 16:26.84). He was followed by William Guadarrama (132nd, 18:02.10), Eli Currington (151st, 18:15.87), and Keaton Boling (158th, 18:32.03).
Competing as an individual, Ava Falloway (150th, 22:09.07) was the lone runner for the E-Gals, competing in her fourth state competition.
“I had a lot of fun on the course,” Falloway said. “It was a tough course, and it was challenging at times. I started off easier in the first mile and picked it up in the second and third. I picked a few people in front of me and I followed them through.”
Also in attendance were the Lady Devils, finishing 33rd. Abby Ladwig (192nd, 22:50.11) had the top time and was followed by Kiley Palmer (221st 23:32.73), Maleeyah Voyles (226th, 23:48.38), Jersie Kline (227th, 23:48.81), and Lola Verges-Gomez (240th, 24:21.51).
“I think they ran really well today,” Owensboro coach Matt Morris said. “I was pleased and proud of how they did. They worked hard all season and just to get here was a challenge. Today on the course they performed well and met what I was hoping for.”
