On Saturday, all four Russellville teams competed in their home meet at Arkansas Tech University. Forty-one teams competed on a beautiful morning that was cool and became warm and a bit humid for the junior high races. It was a fun and successful day for all teams.
Sophomore Carson Walker continued his successful Sophomore campaign, finishing 5th among 284 runners on a tight and always challenging course with a creek crossing. Junior Jaxon Smith continues to flourish, finishing 13th. Sophomore Jeremy Amaya, Senior Jake Linton, and Sophomore Anmol Shrestha rounded out the scoring. Junior Asher Childers who finished 6th for the team, has really improved. Junior Braxton Shirley is also coming on. The boys finished 6th overall.
The varsity girls continue to be led by All State runners Paxtin Lawlis, Mady Honghiran and Alyvia Davis who all medaled in the 211 girls field. Sophomore Daisy Weisler had her opener for the team this and jumped up to 4th for the team. Sophomore Yenifer Martinez really fought and had a big PR in 5th. Emma Morris improved her season best again and Harper Miller also PR’d. The girls finished 4th in a field that included 6A power Fayetteville and 5A state contenders Lake Hamilton and Greenwood.
The Juniors Boys defeated all 5A and below teams to be runner-up to 6A Fayetteville in the huge 369 person field. 8th grader Issac Paul (5th) Cooper Rogers (12th) Oliver Castro (15th) Ezra Witter (21st) and newcomer Asher Trig (22nd) all medaled. Witter is a name to remember, he does all the little things right and puts in the extra miles. They have won or finished second in all their meets this season.
The Junior Girls won again in a tough field of almost 300 runners. They are one missing top runner from an earlier meet from being undefeated this season. Freshman Grace Ruple added to her stockpile of career medals finishing 6th. Emerson Brown surged to second on the team finishing 10th. Haylinn Arias, Brooklyn Davis and Caroline Payne also medaled. The latter two are 7th graders.
The Whirlwinds and Gales hope to continue their success at Conway on Tuesday. The estimated first junior high race is 4:50pm. Varsity returns to action Saturday at the Chili Pepper at The University of Arkansas’s XC course time TBD.