EB cross country sweeps NWFAC championships

Claremont- The East Burke cross country teams made history Tuesday at the Northwestern Foothills 2A Conference championship meet hosted by Riverbend Middle School as the Cavs won both 5K races.

Both squads scored 41 points with senior Logan Shuford (boys 4th, 18:11.14) and freshman Meah Walsh (girls 4th, 23:56.80) being the top Cavalier finishers.

"It was a complete team effort on both sides," said East Burke coach AJ Schwankert.

Luke Elliott (5th, 18:23.70), Ayden Lingerfelt (8th, 19:03.05), Shane Feamster (11th, 19:10.52), Clay Seagle (13th, 19:13.42), and Caleb-Johnson White (20th, 20:10.24) were other leading runners for the EB boys, setting a new mark of six first-place finishes as a team besting the 2017 team winning five.

"Our boys have been very successful against our conference all season, they've worked very hard all season. They are a very unique group who just enjoys each other's company and feed off of each other's successes."

Mekenzie Harris (6th, 24:21.49), Gracie Ruff (7th, 24:53.45), and Janie Ennis (8th, 24:55.36) crossed the finish line in succession for the Lady Cavs in being key to beat out conference favorite Patton.

"The girls team has come a very long way in a very short time, we have a tried and true senior in Ruff with lots of experience and leadership combined with a special trio of ninth graders who have trained hard and overcame the label of beginners."

Piper Strong (16th), Mary Blankenship (23rd), and Kloie Grubbs (31st) were other key Lady Cavalier runners.

"We were very fortunate (for this win), our girls went into the race knowing that it was going to be a dogfight with Patton."

Senior Tommy Blackwell led the Draughn boys (3rd, 57 pts) with a second-place finish (17:46.33) with Reed Farrar (6th, 18:24.89), Andrew Albright (10th, 19:08.70), and Ben Teffeteller (12th, 19:10.86) finishing in the top 15.

The Lady Wildcats placed fourth (117 pts) with Regen Bridges (5th, 24:16.33) and Gracie Mitchell (18th, 26:32.64) being the top finishers.

Draughn and East Burke will next compete at the 2A western regional meet hosted by Brevard at Southside Park on November 2nd.

-VERSE OF THE DAY-
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me"
-John 14:1 (NIV)