Staff report
East Rowan’s boys cross country team placed sixth in the 3A state meet held at Kernersville’s Beeson Park on Saturday.
Cardinal Gibbons (47 points) nipped Chapel Hill (48) for the boys title. East (211) also trailed Weddington (117), Orange (120) and Marvin Ridge (158).
Cole Honeycutt led the Mustangs. He was 16th overall in 16:52. Other East runners were Cal Meyers (53rd, 17:32), Conor Honeycutt (58th, 17:36), Brad Oden (66th, 17:46), Mark Almeida (77th, 18:00), Darin Basso (93rd, 18:20) and Graham Lyerly (108th, 18:44).
Seniors Cole Honeycutt, Oden and Almeida led East this season and helped the Mustangs qualify for their third straight state meet. The Mustangs have finished 10th, ninth and sixth.
The seniors were Rowan County champs all four of their high school seasons and NPC champs the last three years.
“All of our runners were displeased with their times and our overall place in the state today,” coach Rick Roseman said. “It’s obvious how determined and goal-oriented our kids are when sixth in the state is a disappointment.”
East will return freshman Conor Honeycutt, sophomores Meyers and Basso and Lyerly, a junior, next year.
“The program should remain strong,” Roseman said.
n In the 3A boys meet, Carson’s Jacob Fink was 38th (17:18), while the Cougars’ Nathan McMasters was 86th (18:11).
A.L. Brown’s Jose Navarrete (70th, 17:48) and Northwest Cabarrus’ Gil Gilreath (89th, 18:16) also competed.
Cardinal Gibbons’ Steven Phillips was the individual winner in 15:53.
n Cardinal Gibbons also won the girls 3A meet.
West Rowan’s Rebecca Parker was 46th (20:54). Northwest’s Maddie Lowe was 57th (21:05). A.L. Brown’s Natalie Tresslar was 73rd (21:26).
n In the 2A girls meet, Salisbury Susannah Dixon finished 70th (22:28).
n In the 1A boys meet, North Rowan’s Neegbeah Reeves was 50th (18:26).
n In the 1A girls meet, Gray Stone placed third behind Lake Norman Charter and Bishop McGuinness. Leading the Knights were Hunter Latimer (29th, 21:31), Caroline McLeod (34th, 21:39), Janna Featherstone (36th, 21:50), Rebecca Brickner (37th, 21:50), Illa Jones (52nd, 22:29).