On the run

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

The Fort Chiswell boys’ team, led by Brian Hawley, was the top team in a cross country meet held Wednesday afternoon at Rural Retreat Lake.
It was just the second home meet hosted by the Rural Retreat cross country team. RRHS Cross Country Coach Marty Hadaway said he may try to host another meet at Rural Retreat Lake later on in the season if he can work out the schedule.
The schools competing in the meet were Rural Retreat, George Wythe, Fort Chiswell and Bland County, along with middle school runners from all three county schools.
Fort Chiswell won the team competition over George Wythe 27-51. Those were the only two complete boys’ teams. George Wythe had the only complete girls’ team.
Hadaway said the runners’ times may seem a little slower but that’s because the course is slightly longer than most cross country courses. The normal distance is about 3.1 miles. The course at RR Lake is about 3.25 miles.
The times Wednesday were likely also affected by the heat and humidity. Although the varsity race didn’t start until after 5 p.m., the temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s with very high humidity.
Hawley, who qualified for the state meet last year, won the race in over a minute less than second place finisher Daniel Meade of George Wythe. Owen Morgan of Scott Memorial Middle School, placed third.
The middle school race (1.15 miles) was won by Cody Hanks of Fort Chiswell.
The top finisher for the girls’ division was Jeannie Eversole of George Wythe. She finished more than three minutes faster than teammate Melissa Genter in second place. Eversole also competed in the state meet last year where she finished in the top 20.
Here are the times for the finishers in the varsity and middle school races.

Male varsity
Brian Hawley (FC), 22:55; Daniel Meade (GW), 24:15; Owen Morgan (SM), 24:40; Brandon Mock (FC), 24:47; Robert Herndon (GW), 25:30; Sam Mabry (FC), 25:44; Jonathon Stoker (FC), 26:20; Adam Lawson (FC), 27:06; Cubby Rash (RR), 27:33; Austin Rodriquez (FC), 27:59; Michael Hancock (SM), 28:36; Aaron Spradlin (GW), 28:55; Ryan Bradberry (B), 30:04; E.J. Cruzenberry (B), 30:54; Jonathan Angle (GW),31:05; Coty Rash (RR), 34:21; John Genter (GW), 34:32; Derek Russell (GW), 34:50; Logan Nester (RR), 35:56; Terry Dutton (B), 45:47; Seth Dillard (FC), 45:54.

Female varsity
Jeannie Eversole (GW), 26:01; Melissa Genter (GW), 29:07; Hannah Hadaway (RR), 29:10; Kelby Dove (GW), 31:57; Katie Wagner (GW), 32:23; Mary Gordon Jennings (GW), 34:13; Jessica Hester (GW), 34:42; Sarah Spradlin (GW), 37:13; Kayla Moore (GW), 37:25; Crystal Hamilton (GW), 38:06; Miranda Cox (B), 38:44; Chelsea Stroupe (RR), 46:23; Lauren Wolford (GW), 46:53; Kristal Burcham (FC), 50:09.

Middle school race
Cody Hanks (FC), 8:28; Sam Hadaway (RR), 8:29; Coleman Dove (SM), 8:45; Alex Campbell (SM), 8:48; Austin Thomas (SM), 8:50; Andy Robinson (RR), 8:54; Deanna Hedgepeth (SM), 8:59; Jonathon Call (FC), 8:59; Jasmine Cressell (RR), 9:13; Emanuel Davidson (RR), 9:13; Rhodes Kline (SM), 9:43; Bryan Cochran (SM), 9:44; Maria Stoker (SM), 10:02; Cassidy Bear (RR), 10:09; Jason Grubb (FC), 10:26; Malana West (RR), 10:55; Trevor Williams, 11:00; Christopher Black (SM), 11:01; Hannah Horton (SM), 11:04; Clayton Wright (SM), 11:05; Leithan Smelser (SM), 11:09; Jessica Hudnall (SM), 11:12; Gabrielle Justus (RR), 11:17; Chuck Peterson (SM), 11:35; Caitlin Gallagher (RR), 11:45; Shalee Ratcliff (SM), 12:34; Stevie Parks (RR), 15:02; Courtney Miller (RR), 15:07.