Cross Country

Regional Title

Posted On: October 28, 2018 Posted By: Toni McKee

It was an evening of cold, rain, and wind, but our Camels felt up to the challenge.  We knew that with this type of weather, times would be hard to come by, so our focus was on digging for each place that we could.  Going into the meet, we knew the team was facing tough competition and could place anywhere from 1st to 6th.

It was going to take every single step and place to earn a state berth.  Noah Slone started off hard, running his first two mile splits close to his plan.  When illness crept in, he fought back for a 20th place finish and 18:16. This was high enough to give him a state qualifying position. Jordan Hartig also ran his first mile at close to his goal time, but was also dealt a touch of illness. He finished 26th with a time of 18:28, just missing state qualifying by one position. From there, Scott Snedegar (33rd, 18:43), Anthony Ronnebaum (34th, 18:46), and David Howard (36th, 18:47) rolled in as tight pack.  This was enough to give David a PR on a tough day of competition. Adam Ruschman (40, 19:13) and Corey Robinson (49, 20:23) wrapped up the Camels varsity squad.  While our 1-5 split was our best yet, 30 seconds, we were just a hair too far back.  We claimed the 6th place team spot, only 10 points from 4th.  This was one of our most competitive regions, but with every varsity Camel back next year, we are sure to be a force that will succeed.  

For the Lady Camels team, our word of the day was “complacency”– as in “don’t give in to complacency”.  Our plan was to fight through those moments when we felt like we “settled in”; fight we did.  We have ladies who fought through injury all week; ladies who fought through tougher course conditions; ladies who attacked even when they were tired. We are tough, and it showed. Kylie Little (20:44) led the pack with a 6th place finish, and Allie Franzen (21:09) and Noel Slone (21:10– with a major PR!) clipped hot on her heels in 7th and 8th.  This tight trio was the key to the day.  Beam Kumkerd (21:40) pounded the course with an important surge after the 2 mile mark to place 12th, and Devan Carrigan (22:52) ran a personal best time to clinch 29th.  Emma Hogle (23:47) finished in 37th, and Savannah Krift (23:52) in 40th helped displace runners from our competition. Our 1-5 split was a 2:08, and this pack mentality pushed us to a Regional Championship!! Looking through all of  my records, this is apparently  the first time since  the Lady Camels won in 1995!  This was a very tight region, as we won by a small margin of 9 points, and peaking at just the right moment! These ladies decided to fight today, and the looks of focus and determination never wore off.  Enjoy this moment and appreciate all you have worked for. 

We celebrate and turn our attention to the state meet at the Horse Park next week.   Full Results:http://ky.milesplit.com/meets/328698/results#.W9W8FmhKjIV



Posted In
Cross Country
Posted By

Toni McKee

Toni is the Cross Country and girls Track & Field coach.

Connect with Toni at toni.mckee@campbell.kyschools.us