RC Harriers Hold Home Meet

The Rockbridge County High School cross country teams faced tough competition and an even tougher course at their only home meet of the season against Valley District rivals last Wednesday at Natural Bridge State Park. On a hilly course still slick from rain earlier in the week, the RC girls placed third of three teams, while the RC boys finished fourth of four.

In the girls’ race, Spotswood, last year’s Valley District and Region 3C champion and the Class 3 state runner-up, took the top four individual spots and won with 17 points. Turner Ashby placed second with 44 points, and RC finished third with 75 points. Turner Ashby won the boys’ race with 27 points, Spotswood (57) placed second, and East Rockingham (58) and RC (81) completed the standings.

Spotswood’s Ashalnd Dickel won the girls’ race, completing the hilly course in 19:44.66 to edge her twin sister, Marika Dickel, who finished in 19:44.91.

Sophomore Hannah Ivins led the charge for the RC girls, placing 15th of 29 harriers in 27:15.67. Teammate Dorothy Lewis followed right behind Ivins in 16th in 27:15.9, and Brooke Eichelberger finished 19th in 27:33.62. Wildcats following Eichelberger were Kate Holston (20th, 27:37.15), Evelyn McClung (21st, 27:50.7) and Alice Gresham (30:51.14).

Before the girls’ race, the Wildcats honored Eichelberger, their lone senior, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers at the start line.

Spotswood’s Pey ton Kenee won the boys’ race in 16:42.03, about a minute-anda- half ahead of the runner-up, TA’s Sem Mussie (18:31.51).

Sophomore Sammy Eastwood led the RC boys, placing 11th of 40 harriers in 19:23.85. For Eastwood, the race served as a training effort between challenging races. “We were coming off a hard race Saturday,” said Eastwood, referring to the Adidas XC Challenge in Cary, N.C., four days earlier. “I wanted to keep a consistent pace but not push too hard on those hills.”

RC’s second finisher was Grant Swenty (15th, 20:25.87), followed closely by teammate Fisher Howald (16th, 20:35.82). Runners in the Wildcats’ top seven after Howald were Luke Eichholz (20th, 21:37.36), Ben Gresham (24th, 22:29.01), Hudson Saunders (25h, 22:32.42) and Finn Miller (26th, 22:39.47).

RC head coach Julie Tisone viewed the meet as a valuable opportunity to race on the Wildcats’ home course. “The season is looking good,” said Tisone. “We have a lot of nice young runners.”