With four runners in the top seven, the Parry McCluer High School boys cross country team won the Pioneer District meet on Wednesday afternoon at Camp Alta Mons in Shawsville.
The Fighting Blues scored 30 points, while last year’s district champion, Eastern Montgomery, placed second of three teams with 46 points, edging Narrows (47). All three teams will advance to the Region 1C meet.
EM’s Grayson Welcher won the race, completing the hilly 5-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 4.04 seconds. Junior Caleb Cooper led the Blues, placing second of 18 harriers in 18:30.22. Junior teammate Sebastian George followed in third in 18:40.64.
Other Blues in the top seven were senior Sam Carpenter (sixth, 21:17.21) and sophomore Matthew Cooper (seventh, 21:17.31). PM senior Kebryl Chandler, the defending Class 1 state champion, took it easy and placed 12th in 22:21.33, pacing sophomore teammate Victor Poluikis (13th, 22:21.92). The Blues’ final runner was sophomore Seven Medina (17th, 25:18).
The Blues will be aiming to win their fourth consecutive Region 1C title. The Region 1C meet is scheduled for next Tuesday, Oct. 27 at Blacksburg High School. The girls’ race is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ race at 5:15. The top three teams and the top five individuals outside of those teams will advance to the Class 1 state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7 at Green Hill Park in Salem.
For the story on the district meet, please see our Oct. 28 newspaper.
