With five runners under 17 minutes on a 5-kilometer course for the first time in program history, the Parry McCluer High School boys cross country team won the Alleghany XC Invitational on Saturday at the Jackson River Sports Complex in Covington.
Four Blues finished in the top 20, and the Blues won with 74 points, finishing comfortably ahead of runner-up Jefferson Forest (132). PM’s Pioneer District rival Eastern Montgomery (183) placed third of 31 teams. Rounding out the top five were North Cross (193) and Hidden Valley (214).
The Blues’ top five runners had an average split time of 16:06.08 on the flat course.
PM sophomore Kebryl Chandler broke the course record, winning the race in a personalrecord time of 15:11.11.
Sophomore teammate Caleb Cooper placed ninth of 239 harriers in 15:59.32. PM’s third finisher was senior Logan Wheelock (12th, 16:04.16). Also in the Blues’ top five were senior Josh Cooper (20th, 16:29.85) and sophomore Hinckley Lovelace (33rd, 16:45.93). Completing PM’s top seven were junior Sam Carpenter (102nd, 18:30.72) and freshman Matthew Cooper (145th, 19:24.28).
Wheelock, Caleb and Josh Cooper, and Sam Carpenter all set personal records.
Pleased with how his runners did on the course, PM head coach Chris Poluikis said, “The course is really beneficial to keep coming back to year after year. It’s one of the three courses that we’ve had guys get a lot of personal bests.”
Poluikis said the Blues hope to win the Class 1 state title for the third consecutive year, but they’re focused on the regular season at this point. “Right now, the focus is on having a good showing at the Virginia Showcase meet [on Oct. 18 in Mechancisville]. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say we are one of the top 10 programs in the state.” As of last weekend, Milestat.com had the PM boys listed as fifth in tits state rankings.
The Blues will run next at the East Coast Elite Fast Times Invitational, the state meet preview on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Green Hill Park in Salem.
