XC runners advance to state meet

Two Donley County cross-country runners are state bound following the regional meet in Lubbock Monday.

Clarendon’s Kenny Overstreet and Hedley’s Jordan Upton will compete in the Class 2A and Class 1A divisions respectively at the state meet.
A CHS senior runner Overstreet gave a great effort at the regional meet to earn the right, once again, to compete at the State level. Overstreet ran the 5000m race in a time of 17:12.40 and finished fifth in a field of 143 runners for Class 2A. Panhandle’s Elijah Brown won the meet in a time of 16:37.80.
Hedley junior Upton came in tenth with a time of 18:22.10 in the Class 1A division. Other Owls running in Lubbock included Collin Monroe 19:30.50, Tyler Harper 20:15.90, Joshua Booth 20:19.40, and Elijah Booth 22:56.50.
“The boys team did an amazing job of pushing themselves and were able to bring their team into the 10th spot at Regionals out of 20 teams,” Hedley coach Kim Harper said. “Out of 138 runners, individual places for the boys were Jordan Upton, 10th; Collin Monroe, 26th; Tyler Harper, 53rd; Joshua Booth, 54th; and Elijah Booth, 102nd.”

Two Lady Owls also ran at the regional meet among 170 runners. Avery Sawyer finished 12th with a time of 13:46.80, and Cara Lambert was 17th with a time of 13:53.20.
“It was heartbreaking for us as they were only two and seven spots away from advancing to state,” Harper said, “but they’re young and still have a couple more years to strive for that goal.”
Harper said Hedley’s runners all made their families and their school proud and they look forward to cheering Upton on in the state meet.
Madi Smith competed for the Lady Broncos and finished 39th with a time of 13:31.10 for the two-mile course. Team members Makenna Shadle and Aliyah Weatherton finished 90th and 99th with times of 14:28.90 and 14:34.90.
Also for Clarendon, Kira Weatherton ran 135th at 15:25.10 and Finley Cunningham was 146th with a finishing time of 15:43.90. Aubrey Jaramillo was 150th at 15:54.10 and Aleyah Weatherton finished in a time of 16:17.40 for 158th place.
The State Cross-Country Meet will be held November 9 in Round Rock at the Old Settlers Park.