Cross Country teams race at Yellow Creek
The HCHS cross country teams competed in the 2021 Daviess County Classic at Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro Saturday.
“This was a pretty typical post-Fall Break race,” Hancock coach Wes Meserve said. “We typically run really strong before the break, like we did at Tell City, and then have a little slower race coming back. I think the change in routine that week messes with our athletes’ performances.
“Having said that, we had very good races out of many of our middle school runners. Hunter Stephens ran a very strong race and this should be a confidence boost as we prepare for the postseason. Lyla DeJarnette and Ellen Meserve both ran very good races as well. They’re finally starting to have the endurance to really push hard the entire length of he race.”
Aly Voyles led the varsity girls with a 51st place finish in a time of 24 minutes, 14 seconds over the 5K course. Carolina Jones placed 60th in 24:52, Lexus Ralph was 79th in 25:47, Lauren Proctor 91st in 26:52 and Juliana Nevitt 100th in 27:56.
“We were shorthanded with Izzy Ross and Sydney Weatherholt both out, but I was still pleased with what I saw,” coach Meserve said. “I felt like Carolina finally stepped out of her comfort zone and pushed herself really hard. With young runners, it takes time for them to learn what they can and can’t handle.
“Aly was persistent. I wasn’t sure how she’d handle having Carolina so far ahead of her at the mile mark, but she never quit and ended up moving into the number one spot for our team. None of our girls were very happy with their times, but I saw a lot of good things,” the coach said.
Carolyn Ford of Rock Bridge won in 18:01. Rock Bridge won the team title with Hancock County 11th out of 14 teams.
Griffin DeJarnette placed 142nd in the varsity boys race as he was the only HCHS runner represented on Saturday.
“Griffin ran his fastest time of the season and was just six seconds off his fastest time ever. After not running last season, I think Griffin still hasn’t quite reached his full potential,” Meserve said.
Andrew Hauser of Rock Bridge won in 15:31. Rock Bridge won the team title.
Hunter Stephens led the team in the 3K boys middle school race. The 8th grader finished in a time of 11:33. Max DeJarnette was 32nd in 13:11, Emmitt Meserve 51st in 14:00, Henry Proctor 57th in 14:06, Talon Singleton 78th in 14:49, Elias Meserve 90th in 15:20 and Beckham DeJarnette 93rd in 15:28.
Noah Gray of Burns Middle School won in 10:08.
Owensboro Middle School won the team title with Hancock County seventh out of 15 teams.
Lyla DeJarnette led the middle schools with a 27th place finish in 15:01. Ellen Meserve was 30th in 15:07, RyLynne Meserve was 58th in 16:33, Oonagh DeJarnette 65th in 16:48 and Alyson Goodall 83rd in 19:36.
Charlotte Johnson of Greenwood won in 11:57.
Greenwood won the team title with Hancock County eighth out of 11 teams.
By Steve Wimmer
