The Eupora cross-country team traveled to Belden to compete in the TCPS Twilight meet on Sept. 2.
Tupelo Christian Preparatory School has the reputation of having one of the toughest race courses in the state filled with wooded trails and hills. Coach Randee Jernigan was impressed with the performance of her runners.
"Our Eagle Runners really had a great afternoon running on an advanced course,” she said. “Our first race was able to let the runners clock an initial time for the season. Now, we start pushing to get faster. Many runners decreased their 1-mile splits. On a tough course, that's fantastic!"
Junior high boys won second place in their 1.5 mile run out of seven teams in the Small School division (1A-3A). The top five times determine the overall score of a XC team.
"At first, they tied for second, but never underestimate the sixth runner,” Jernigan said. “Cornathan Orr had an explosive finish as our No. 6 runner. His solid performance broke the tie with Biggersville."
Individually, the junior high boys had two runners place in the Top 30 of 1A-6A schools out of 122 runners: Dale Britt (20th) and Cole Cummings (22nd). In small schools (1A-3A), the Eagles had eight Top 30 finishes: Dale Britt (eighth), Cole Cummings (ninth), Macon Ballard (20th), Kyler Kent (22nd), Tripp Boatman (24th), Cornathan Orr (25th), Tucker Stroup (28th) and Bronner Bingham (29th).
Junior high girls did not have enough runners to compete as a team, but had strong individual performances. Avery McCluskey placed 26th in the Top 30 of 1A-6A out of 116 runners. In small schools (1A-3A), the Eagles had two Top 30 finishes: Avery McCluskey (sixth) and Loralee Jernigan (24th).
The boys and girls high school teams worked hard to gain three Top 30 finishers in Small Schools (1A-3A): Joseph Rollins (23rd), Hallie Johnston (27th) and Ava McCain (29th). In Small Schools (1A-3A) the boys team finished ninth out of 12 teams and the girls team finished sixth out of eight teams.
"Each of the teams continue to improve with each practice and meet. I'm impressed with their dedication. Runners that are able to withstand the heat and the distance definitely have my respect. Some of these runners play multiple sports in the fall. They finish practices for other sports to come run extra miles in the heat of the afternoon. These are a tough bunch of athletes. It's going to be fun to see how much these runners can accomplish this season," said Jernigan.
Next meet is Saturday in French Camp.
