SALISBURY – Rebecca Parker crossing the finish line first at Dan Nicholas Park is getting to be an all-too common occurrence.
The West Rowan junior plowed through the course at her favorite venue to win the county cross country meet for the second-straight year by finishing in 20:19. Parker was one of four Falcons to finish in the top 10 as West captured first as a team with 44 points. This year, Parker was first by a sizable margin as she stepped up after the initial mile and pulled away.
Parker’s time was almost a full minute quicker than the 21:10 that won last year’s race.
“At first, it was just me and an East Rowan runner and then I passed her in the woods and after that I kept gaining a lead,” Parker said.
“It went really well today. I was trying to get back into the 19’s at the pre-conference meet at Statesville.”
Parker also won the pre-county meet last month in 21:26.
Josie Helgar (fourth, 22:04), Hannah Allison (eighth, 23:09) and Sammie Brassard (ninth, 23:09) all had strong days for the Falcons.
“That was pretty awesome,” said Parker of her team’s performance. “It was a good job for the team.”
Salisbury’s Katelyn Storey finished second in 21:24 before darting back to school for a tennis match. Fellow Hornet Susannah Dixon was third (21:51).
Carson’s Kenzy Bauer placed fifth in 22:10 to lead the Cougars to a second-place finish with 56 points. Sarah Safrit finished 10th in 23:18 for Carson. East Rowan’s Faith Blume was sixth with a 22:24 time and Mustang Tori Gaul was seventh in 22:37. Carson’s Cierra Josey (11th, 23:46) and East’s Leah Bumby placed 12th in 23:47.