|
Clark runner Grayson Brookshire, middle, makes a move toward the finish line Saturday in the Beast in the East event. (Submitted). (Submitted / September 10, 2012) |
The George Rogers Clark cross country teams opened the season Saturday, with the girls and boys teams placing second in the 18th annual Beast in the East Invitational at Owsley County.
Grayson Brookshire led the Cardinals in the 11-team meet. Brookshire, a junior, was challenged by Powell County’s Mark Ventura and Bath County’s Evan Staviski. All three ran as a pack over the course of the 5K race. At the 800-meter mark, Brookshire and Ventura pulled away from Staviski and with 500 meters left, Brookshire opened up the race and cruised to a first-place honors finish, completing the 5K event in 17:06, a new personal best. Brookshire’s effort barely missed the course record time of 17:00 set by former Clark standout Alex White two years ago.
“This meet was a good opportunity to showcase all of our hard work over the summer,” said Brookshire. “Conditions were not ideal, but the team performed well. I am proud of my team.”
Rounding out Clark’s top five runners were Ben Petrey, Brandon Bailey, Cody Cox and James Banks. Also competing for the Cards were Alan Barnett, Aaron Barnett, Brandon Burris, Gary Coleman, Thomas Bickham, J.J. Johnson, John Dixon, Aaron Dieck, Sam Tiller and Randy Morris.
In final team standings Letcher County Central placed first, Clark was second and Harlan County was third.
In the girls competition, sophomore Lydia Gapp paced the team, placing second overall in the event, tying her personal best time with a finish of 22:30. Alyssa Gaunce was Clark’s second finisher followed by Genna Petrey, Destiny Hembree and Heidi Geittmann. Also competing for Clark were Madison Henry, Emma Mork and Loran Smith.
“I am proud of the way our girls team has started out the season,” said Genna Petrey. “I believe that if we continue our hard work, we will be a team to beat this year.”
Harlan County placed first, Clark was second and Letcher County Central took third.
In the middle school competition David Ffiske, a sixth-grader at Clark Middle, placed second overall. After five middle school races, Ffiske has placed first in one race and second in four others.
Grayson Brookshire led the Cardinals in the 11-team meet. Brookshire, a junior, was challenged by Powell County’s Mark Ventura and Bath County’s Evan Staviski. All three ran as a pack over the course of the 5K race. At the 800-meter mark, Brookshire and Ventura pulled away from Staviski and with 500 meters left, Brookshire opened up the race and cruised to a first-place honors finish, completing the 5K event in 17:06, a new personal best. Brookshire’s effort barely missed the course record time of 17:00 set by former Clark standout Alex White two years ago.
“This meet was a good opportunity to showcase all of our hard work over the summer,” said Brookshire. “Conditions were not ideal, but the team performed well. I am proud of my team.”
Rounding out Clark’s top five runners were Ben Petrey, Brandon Bailey, Cody Cox and James Banks. Also competing for the Cards were Alan Barnett, Aaron Barnett, Brandon Burris, Gary Coleman, Thomas Bickham, J.J. Johnson, John Dixon, Aaron Dieck, Sam Tiller and Randy Morris.
In final team standings Letcher County Central placed first, Clark was second and Harlan County was third.
In the girls competition, sophomore Lydia Gapp paced the team, placing second overall in the event, tying her personal best time with a finish of 22:30. Alyssa Gaunce was Clark’s second finisher followed by Genna Petrey, Destiny Hembree and Heidi Geittmann. Also competing for Clark were Madison Henry, Emma Mork and Loran Smith.
“I am proud of the way our girls team has started out the season,” said Genna Petrey. “I believe that if we continue our hard work, we will be a team to beat this year.”
Harlan County placed first, Clark was second and Letcher County Central took third.
In the middle school competition David Ffiske, a sixth-grader at Clark Middle, placed second overall. After five middle school races, Ffiske has placed first in one race and second in four others.
