COLUMBIA – Saturday’s Mike More Classic at Saluda Shoals Park proved to be one for the record books for Blythewood High School Cross Country runners Jacob Powell and Anna Kelly – literally. Juniors Powell and Kelly both set personal best times, which resulted in two new school records.
Powell finished in first place of the field of 220 male runners with a time of 15:29.87. Kelly was just seconds behind a top finish when she crossed the line at 18:24.69. She finished in second place overall out of 176 runners. Porter Gaud’s Morgan Howell finished first at 18:18.63.
The Bengal boys’ team finished in first place out of 25 teams. Spencer Shealy placed fourth at 15:42.30; Dillan Boyer finished in ninth at 16:02.90. Eureka Washington’s 16:32.60 finish put him in 15th place, and Anthony Knight finished at the 16:46.86 mark for 20th place.
Blythewood’s girls finished in 9th place, just behind Westwood in the 8 spot.
Redhawk runner Emma Ashley had a fourth place finish at 18:33.46. Rebecca Ashley finished at 19:59.39 for 21st place. Christina Tyndall followed at 21:23.96 for 43rd place. Jamiya Carter crossed at the 22:33.49 mark, and Sarah Danbury clocked in at 23:28.99.
Behind Blythewood’s Anna Kelly, Paige Kelly finished second for the Bengals at 21:15.79 for 39th place. Scarlett Baker finished in 46th at 21:29.25. Madeline Lowery finished at 22:44.63, and Judeah Warren crossed at the 23:06.63 mark.
Westwood’s boys were led by Sean Bullock, who finished 55th overall at 18:08.78. Ty Owen followed at 19:46.57; Blaize Owen finished at 20:18.13. Kameron Williams clocked at 20:59.49, and Alexander Drakes finished at 21:26.27.
Blythewood will hit the course on Sept. 28 at Dorman High School’s Cavalier Classic. Westwood is scheduled to run again on Oct. 5 at Heathwood Hall.