Sanderson cross country
FILE PHOTO
Sanderson runners Philip Hathaway (left), Mitchell Feldman, Matt Schick and Ben Boyles helped the Spartans finish second — just one points behind Chapel Hill — in last weekend's Greensboro Invitational at Hagan Stone Park.
Sanderson boys XC snag second place
If and when the Sanderson boys cross country team advances to 4-A state meet later this fall, last weekend's second-place finish at the Greensboro Invitational at Hagan Stone Park could play a key factor.
Defeated by a single point by winner Chapel Hill — the Tigers posted a team score of 104 to Sanderson's 105 — the Spartans know one or two places can make all the difference.
Sanderson cross country coach Ashley Taylor knows her squad is disappointed, but the narrow defeat should give her squad the push it needs the final month of the season.
"It was a good loss because I think it will motivate our guys," she said. "This is a very tough region. One weekend it's them, one weekend it's us, and it's going to be very close at the regional meet."
Junior Matt Schick led the way for the Spartans, capturing 10th place and posting a personal best of 15:58.
Schick was followed closely behind by Matt Geisz (13th; 16:13), Mitchell Feldman (21st; 16:32), Philip Hathaway (27th; 16:46), Andrew White (43rd; 17:05), Ben Boyles (65th; 17:23) and Patrick Crawford (79th; 17:39).
"Matt has been our No. 1 for a couple years, but he had gotten better every year," Taylor said. "And this year he has really shown improvement."
With a win at the Seahawk Invitational a few weeks back, and a good showing at the Wolfpack Invitational a week later, the Spartans have displayed as much potential as any squad in the state.
In other action in Greensboro, Millbrook's Richard Miller and Paul Carr finished 47th and 51st, respectively. Miller finished in 17:09, and Carr came in at 17:12. Alex Vinson (17:37) placed 77th. The Wildcats placed 13th as a team.
Wakefield's Mitch Mallory snagged 22nd, with a time of 16:33. The Wolverines' next runner, George Stiak, finished 154th with a time of 18:43. Wakefield finished in 26th place.
In the girls' race in Greensboro, several area squads put together impressive showings, including Millbrook (7th), Ravenscroft (8th) and Sanderson (10th). Wakefield finished 26th.
The Lady Ravens' Wesley Frazier dominated the field, winning the race and finishing with a time of 17:50 — 46 seconds ahead of second place. Teammate Lexi Bader (19:30) placed 17th.
Millbrook's Samantha George ran a spectacular race as well, finishing third with a time of 18:36. Wildcat teammates Allora Burke (41st; 20:30), Megan Corbally (55th; 20:47), Bonnie Gartland (72nd; 21:08), Olivia Wedegaertner (80th; 21:25), Emily Buchenberger (21:40) and Anna Clappsaddle (107th; 22:09) also ran well.
Sanderson's Allison Cook ran a personal best Saturday, grabbing fifth place and finishing in 18:45. Her sister, Samantha Cook, finished 47 seconds later, taking 21st.
Maddie DiVittorio (74th; 21:15), Chelsea Nnani (76th; 21:17), Erin Smothers (88th; 21:41), Anna Taylor (93rd; 21:48) and Kaitlyn Burnette (101st; 22:00) rounded out the rest of the Lady Spartans' field.
Coach Taylor lauded Allison Cook's time, noting it has been the senior's goal to finish under 19 minutes.
"She has been trying to break that all year, and she ran a 18:45 — that's more than just breaking into the 18s," the coach said. "That is quite an accomplishment."
Overall, Taylor said having their Cap-7 Conference rivals — Millbrook — finish ahead of them should prove motivational.
"Millbrook caught us on Saturday, and I don't think our girls thought it could happen until they saw it on paper," the coach said. "That should give them an extra push."
Leesville Road and Sanderson's boys squads are slated to compete in the Great American Cross Country Festival's Race of Champions race in Cary Saturday. The Pride's Lauren Strapp and Millbrook's Samantha George are competing as individuals in the girls' Race of Champions.
The Lady Spartans are scheduled to run in the Invitational race.
