.jpg)
Chandler Leads PM Harriers At Alleghany XC
Led by sophomore Kebryl Chandler’s runner-up finish, the Parry McCluer High School boys cross country team won the Alleghany XC Invitational on Saturday at the Jackson River Sports Complex in Covington.
With four runners in the top 20, the Fighting Blues scored 72 points to take first place, while Hidden Valley finished second of 27 teams with 110 points. Monticello (168) placed third, and Eastern Montgomery (183) and North Cross (201) rounded out the top five.
The PM boys had an average split time of 16 minutes, 33 seconds on the flat 5-kilometer course.
“It was probably the best win I have coached,” said PM head coach Chris Poluikis. “There were several guys coming in under 15:50, which is unheard of for this meet. It was very competitive.” The time of 15:50.47 was the previous course record, set by Kebryl’s older brother, Kovyk, in his win at the meet last fall to lead the Blues to third place. Kovyk, who won the Class 1 state title last fall, graduated in the spring.
Lord Botetourt’s Eric Duncan won the boys’ race in 15:19.65, and Kebryl Chandler placed second of 214 harriers in a personal-record (PR) time of 15:34.69, about 48 seconds faster than his time on the course last year. Poluikis said Kebryl “is racing a lot better than he was last year. He’s got some more experience now.”
PM’s next two runners were juniors Logan Wheelock and Josh Cooper, who came in 13th and 16th place, respectively. Wheelock finished in a PR time of 16:37.76, and Cooper followed closely in 16:41.61, a PR. PM freshman Caleb Cooper came in 17th in a PR time of 16:42.42, and freshman teammate Hinckley Lovelace followed in 29th place in 17:11.67. Also competing for the Blues were freshman Sebastian George (47th, 17:58.79), breaking 18 minutes for the first time, and sophomore Sam Carpenter (94th, PR 19:00.38).
Praising his runners, Poluikis said, “With how humid it was and how wet the course was, the guys ran very well.”
Alleghany’s Kiera Lowman won the girls’ race in 18:00.54. PM’s lone girl running was junior Kyra Lee, placing 44th of 171 harriers in 22:30.84.
“By the time the girls race happened, the sun had come out and it was pretty warm, and with the humidity, it wasn’t an easy race,” said Poluikis.
Spotswood won the girls’ race with 35 points, Christiansburg (95) placed second of 21 teams, and Waynesboro (109) finished third. Rounding out the top five were Alleghany (147) and Wilson Memorial (148).
The Blues will compete again on Saturday at the East Coast Elite XC Meet held at the Virginia Tech Buford Meredith XC Course in Blacksburg, starting at 9 a.m. The meet will allow runners to preview the course for the state meet on Nov. 16.
