The Choctaw County boys cross country team finished eighth among 1A/2A/3A schools at the Pontotoc XC Invitational.
“I was very proud of my athletes,” said coach Andy Young. “We had five under 25 minutes.”
Trenton McGee was the Chargers top runner, finishing 30th in a 5,000 meter time of 19:39.62. He was followed by Jared Bellew, 47th in 21:09.99; Isaac Burdine, 52nd in 21:24.55; and Jacob Miller, 76th in 24:50.90. Three other Choctaw County runners finished together. Micah Gammill was 88th in 27:31.73, Kole Vowell 89th in 28:07.15 and Breaden McGee 90th in 28:34.35.
Choctaw County was 14th in the boys middle school race for all six MHSAA classes. Seventh grader Brodie Arnault was the team's top runner, 61st in 17:47.75 for 4,000 meters.
FCA runners set personal bests
Running against larger schools, French Camp was 10th out of 20 boys teams and 10th of 14 girls teams at the Madison Cross Country Festival. French Camp was the only 1A school in the girls race and one of two for the boys.
Several of the French Camp runners turned it personal best times.
“It's weird. The Madison meet has always been a low point for us,” said coach Joe Watkins. “I threw down the challenge and they responded.”
He was especially pleased with the performance of sophomore David Ferguson, who was 42nd with a time of 19:50.65 for 5,000 meters. “He's the one who really broke free. Up until a week ago he had never broken 20 minutes. He's really doing well.”
Other boys were Colby Walters, 24th in 18:37.59; Cameron McDaniel, 72nd in 21:09,45; Kaleb Armstrong, 161st in a personal best 25:04.54 and Josh Lopez, 162nd in 25:05.35.
Averie Jane Gundy was the top girl with a clocking of 22:45.57 for 26th place. Olivia Gundy was 70th with a personal best 25:07.66. She was followed by Maddi Davis, 74th in 25:21.25; Kelsey Bridges, 78th with a personal best of 25:34.95; Lucy Littlejohn, 90th with a personal best of 26:25.90; Martha Fergusons, 110th at 28:47.65; Sarah Thompson, 123rd at 30:33.11; and Brooklyn Monroe, 131st at 31:54.57.
French Camp will host a meet Saturday.
