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Chandler, Wheelock Lead Blues In Pioneer Meet
Led by sophomore Kebryl Chandler’s individual win, the Parry McCluer High School boys cross country team defended its Pioneer District title by defeating Eastern Montgomery at the district meet last Wednesday afternoon at Camp Alta Mons in Shawsville.
With five of the top six runners, the Fighting Blues tallied 18 points, while Eastern Montgomery had 38 points. The Blues’ average time on the challenging 5-kilometer course was 17 minutes, 34 seconds, compared to the Mustangs’ 18:52. “It’s a slow, hilly course,” said PM head coach Chris Poluikis. “It wasn’t a fast race by any means.”
Last year, PM edged EM by one point, 27-28.
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Also competing last Wednesday were runners from Narrows, but the Green Wave only had three harriers, not the minimum (five) required for a team score.
Despite the win, Poluikis said that there was more to the victory. “One of [Eastern Montgomery’s] better runners had to drop out midway through. We ran well, but some of this was just [ EM] not putting out their best.” Poluikis said he still thinks the Mustangs are their biggest competition in the state.
Chandler won the race in 16:51.24, and junior teammate Logan Wheelock placed second of 21 harriers in 17:20.6. Praising Wheelock, Poluikis said, “Logan has been on a tear recently. He’s really starting to separate himself from some other runners he used to be around.”
EM’s top runner was Spencer Sisson, placing third in 17:22.56. The next three runners were Blues: freshman Caleb Cooper (fourth, 17:49.32), junior Josh Cooper (fifth, 17:53.61) and freshman Hinckley Lovelace (sixth, 17:57.5). Also cracking the top 10 was PM freshman Sebastian George (10th, 19:49.75). Blues following George were sophomore Sam Carpenter (14th, 22:05.66) and juniors Jonah Madison (19th, 27:13.09) and Caden Mason (21st, 30:58.85).
In the girls’ race, EM had the only full team and won with 15 points.
EM’s Aija McHone won in 23:01.18, and teammate Olivia Wilbon placed second of seven runners in 23:20.99.
The Blues’ lone runner in the girls race was junior Kyra Lee, placing third in 23:53.27, more than a minute ahead of the fourth-place finisher, Maggie Howard (25:06.14). “Kyra is more of a strength runner,” said Poluikis. “This was a good course for her to compete against other fast girls. It was a good race for her.”
All of the runners advanced to the Region 1C meet, which will take place today, Wednesday, on the hilly 5K course at Blacksburg High School. The girls’ race is scheduled for 4 p.m., followed by the boys’ race at 4:30. The PM boys will be aiming to repeat as regional champions. The top three teams and the top five individuals outside of those teams will advance to the Class 1 state meet, which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Virginia Tech.
MEMBERS OF the PM boys cross country team, coached by Chris Poluikis (second from right), celebrate with their trophy and medals after winning the Pioneer District title. The individual winner was sophomore Kebryl Chandler (far left), finishing the challenging 5-kilometer course in 16:51.24. (photo courtesy of PM Athletics)
