Raiders run strong
- Updated: September 9, 2017
Roberts leads PV sweep at Noccalula Falls; Ohatchee posts a pair of top-10s at state championship course
By East Alabama Sports Today
GADSDEN — Pleasant Valley’s girls and boys cross country teams were missing key elements because of standardized testing, but their program’s depth carried them to victories in their respective divisions in the Etowah County Trail Invitational at Noccalula Falls Saturday.
The Lady Raiders placed four runners among the top 10 points qualifiers, including race winner Trinity Roberts, to score 39 points; they were four points ahead of runner-up Alexandria. PV finished 1-4-5-10-19 among the counters, while Alexandria went 2-7-9-12-13.
The PV boys placed three runners among the top 10 counters, led by third-place finisher Matisse Miller, and scored 57 points. They were 55 points ahead of runner-up Briarwood Christian.
Roberts won the girls race in 21:34.63. Alexandria’s Abby Nunnelly was second at 22:17.95. PV’s Emma Hood was fifth overall (23:17.01) and eighth-grader Gracie Hood was ninth (23:35.01). It’s Roberts’ second win of the season, having led the girls across the line at the White Plains Wildcat Twilight Invite on Opening Day.
Briarwood’s Zach Howard won the boys race in 17:37.98. Miller finished in 18:14.14. White Plains’ Jake Moore was fourth (18:35.54), PV’s Jacob Gladen was fifth (18:44.73) and teammate Skyler Mcleod was eighth (19:00.67).
“Depth was the X-factor,” PV coach Brad Hood said.
Ohatchee posts top 10s at state site
OAKVILLE – The Ohatchee girls finished fifth and the boys 10th in their respective races at the 17th annual Chickasaw Trails Invitational at Oakville Indian Mounds Park, site of the state championship meet.
The Ohatchee girls scored 205 points and finished three ahead of Randolph for a top-five finish. Eighth-grader Brittany Caywood ran 21st (22:09.68) and Jayda Fair was 24th (22:17.75).
The boys scored 351 points. Gabe Hammonds (17:42.23) was 17th and Blake Noah (18:06.55) was 30th.
“We have a great group of veterans as well as newcomers,” Ohatchee coach Casey Howell said. “A lot of our kids, this was their first race ever. I have no idea how good this group can be. I just know they are a blessing to coach.”
ETOWAH COUNTY TRAIL INVITATIONAL
At Noccalula Falls, Gadsden
BOYS RACE
Team scores: Pleasant Valley 57, Briarwood Christian 112, Ashville 135, White Plains 156, DAR 167, Alexandria 189, Pell City 193, Southside-Gadsden 205, Pisgah 249, Anniston 252, Gadsden City 278, Austin 213, Faith Christian 372, Lincoln 386, St. Clair County 394, Westbrook Christian 407, Douglas 461, Glencoe 467, Donoho 482, Etowah 496, Hokes Bluff 497.
Top 5 individuals: Zack Howard, Briarwood 17:37.98; Daniel Tully, Ashville 18:02.87; Matisse Miller, Pleasant Valley 18:14.14; Jake Moore, White Plains 18:35.54; Jacob Gladen, Pleasant Valley 18:44.73.
GIRLS RACE
Team scores: Pleasant Valley 39, Alexandria 43, Briarwood Christian 69, Pisgah 131, Glencoe 142, White Plains 148, Southside-Gadsden 177, Austin 182, Saks 263, Douglas 268.
Top 5 individuals: Trinity Roberts, Pleasant Valley 21:34.63; Abby Nunnelly, Alexandria 22:17.95; Adrienne Goolsby, Briarwood 22:32.52; Meghan McCarthy, Ashville 22:49.31; Emma Hood, Pleasant Valley 23:17.01.
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