By Ryan Bisesi
rbisesi@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó Although opposing runners will be glad to know theyíll be getting rid of one Honeycutt after this year, another one is just settling in.
Such is life with Rowan County cross country. The brotherly tandem of Cole and Conor Honeycutt finished 1-2 at the county championship meet Wednesday as East Rowan walked away with its fourth consecutive county title at Dan Nicholas Park.
Just like the pre-county meet, a hoard of Mustangs dominated the top 10 with seven all-county runners, finishing with 20 points. Carson was second with 44 points.
Cole won the race in 16:31, short of his personal best of 16 minutes but significantly better than the 17:01 in the pre-county meet. Conor, a freshman, was a couple steps behind at 17:04.
Cole was the first East runner to win the race since Ross Oden in 2008.
ěI had a real quick first mile in like 4:50,î said Cole, a senior who sported a beard that wasnít present at the pre-county meet. ěMy two mile was a little slow. I really wanted to beat Michael Yorkís record (16:16) from last year.î
Cole failed to break the mark but he helped retain Eastís dominance. It was the second time this year the pair have finished 1-2.
ěItís fun running with him and having someone to catch,î Conor said. ěBut Iíll be happy when he leaves.î
Cal Meyers (17:16, fourth), Joseph Furtado (17:28, sixth), Brad Oden (17:30, seventh), Graham Lyerly (17:32, eighth) and Mark Almedia (17:36, ninth) were all all-county runners for East.
ěThese kids want to beat each other and beat everybody else,î East coach Rick Roseman said. ěThereís about 10 others that wanted to make all-county. Thatís the kind of competition and spirit there is on this team.î
Carsonís Jacob Fink finished third with a 17:12 time and Kyle Gillis was fifth in 17:16. Chase Johnson (11th, 17:44), Nathan McMasters (12th, 17:45) and Nick Thornton (16th, 18:10) were also top-20 finishers for the Cougars.
Neegbeah Reeves was North Rowanís top runner and 10th overall in 17:42.
Salisburyís Karl Benz and Trevor Sides both finished in 18:16 with Benz taking 17th. Cody McNeely (18:31) was 20th as West Rowanís top finisher. Cody Earnhardt (20:20) claimed Salisburyís best time.