There are no standing ovations when Salisbury puts its seven best girls on the starting line.
No foot-stomping frenzies by maddening crowds, no marching bands belting out patriotic tunes and, of course, no one doing the ever-popular wave.
Not here — not across the picturesque acres of Dan Nicholas Park. Yet it is right here, far from the Friday night lights and the clamor in the gymnasium, that the Lady Hornets’ cross-country team has quietly, almost politely, composed a must-read story.
“We’re not what you’d call well-known,” explained Salisbury coach Cathy Smith. “Look around. There aren’t a lot of spectators here. It’s mostly parents. When we go to the big meets, nobody’s really heard of us.”
Salisbury knows how comedian Rodney Dangerfield must feel. Victories and top 10 finishes in major competitions have come rather handily. Recognition — and respect — has not.
“Maybe now we will get some,” smiled junior Anna Griffis, the beating heart of the Hornets. “We do deserve it.”
Griffis certainly does. Her third-place finish in Saturday’s Midwest Regional helped Salisbury (113 points) claim third place in the team standings and earn its third consecutive berth in the 2A state championship meet.
“I’m fine with third. I don’t know about the rest of the girls,” said Griffis, who completed the 5,000-meter course in 20:33, her best time in two years. “Our goal at the beginning of the season was top five. A lot of us were hoping for something better, but I’m not too disappointed.”
Charlotte Catholic (22 points) placed six finishers among the top 12 and quickly turned the meet into Secretariat’s Belmont. Western Guilford (74) took second. Catholic freshman Brittany Box won the race in 20:09 while teammate Erin McMahon was second in 20:19.
“Catholic was just awesome,” said Griffis. “I don’t think anyone was going to beat them today.”
Salisbury, which captured the Central Carolina Conference title on Oct. 9, received a helpful performance from junior Maria Mendez — under difficult circumstances. Her mother was injured in a van/ambulance accident near Lincolnton Road Friday night.
“I’ve been at the hospital all night,” Mendez said after finishing 28th in a sub-par 23:06. “I got some sleep, but not much, because I’ve been so upset. She’s going to be OK, though. Still, this was an unusual day. My two best times are on this course. I’ve run 21’s here.”
Other Salisbury scorers included Mandy Marcengill (31st in 23:19), who matched her personal-best time; Anna Cunningham (34th in 23:25); and Meredith Martin (37th in 23:49). Teammates Kelly Ross (61st in 25:58) and Mary Jane Glasgow (68th in 26:47) also finished.
“We’re all hoping to do better next week,” said Smith, whose team has placed 10th in each of the past two state meets. “A good showing in the states will go a long way. Then maybe people will know who we are.”
The state championship is scheduled next Saturday morning at Charlotte’s McAlpine Park.
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Salisbury’s boys placed seventh with 171 points and failed to qualify for the state meet. Senior Ryan Lesley nearly did after crossing the line 14th in a career-best 17:55. He was listed on the results sheet and introduced to the crowd as the final individual qualifier, but lost the spot due to a clerical error. First-place finisher Adam Lindsey of Reidsville, who won the race in 16:49, had been omitted.
“I feel for him. I just don’t know what to say,” said stunned Salisbury coach Mike Allen. “It’s bad. I mean, it’s right what they did, but it’s bad for my guy.”
Lesley, who fought off a pair of quad injuries this autumn, ran the race of his life. “It’s the first time all season I felt the real pain of running,” he said. “My lungs were full. They didn’t want to take in any more air. When I crossed the finish line I just about collapsed.”
As it turned out, Matthew Vogler of West Stokes edged Lesley by 16 seconds and received the last individual berth. Here’s the twist: “I usually don’t run well through the woods but I found him and paced off of him,” Lesley said. ”We were passing guys together, setting a good pace.”
Other Salisbury place-winners were Steve Robinson (22nd in 18:16), Adam Vick (37th in 18:55), Jacob Melton (53rd in 19:38) and James Roberts (54th in 19:40).
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North Rowan’s boys team (409) placed 15th, led by Jason Nance (59th in 19:51) and Ryan Clancy (77th in 20:44). North’s girls team was represented by all-conference sophomore Jennifer Wilson (25th in 22:48) and Kristen Ketchie (64th in 26:18).
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