NEWBERRY – Blythewood and Westwood Cross Country teams competed in the Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic on Saturday. Both Blythewood teams and Westwood’s girls’ team competed in the International level. Westwood’s boys competed in the Championship division.
Highlighting both schools were top-10 finishes from Blythewood’s Anna Kelly and Jacob Powell and from Westwood’s Emma Ashley.
Blythewood
Bengal junior Jacob Powell finished in eighth place out of 259 runners in under 16 minutes at 15:53.27. Ty Jones from Riverside High School took first place at 15:34.
Spencer Shealy finished in the 19th spot at 16:16.98. Eureka Washington clocked in at 17:08.77 for 70th place. Anthony Kelly crossed the finish line at 17:24.48, and Dillan Boyer finished at 17:25.97.
Blythewood’s boys’ team claimed sixth place out of 30 teams with a score of 293. Greer Middle College Charter School took first at 123 points.
Junior Anna Kelly’s had an impressive seventh place finish out of 249 runners with a time of 18:47.9. Kelly trailed first place by 14 seconds as Ava Lindsey took first at 18:33.74.
Senior Mallorie Hogue finished in 22nd place at 19:24.79. Scarlett Baker had her season-fastest time of 21:00.66 for 100th place. Paige Kelly finished at 21:40.96, and Madeline Lowery finished at 22:37.14, also her season-best. Judeah Warren crossed the line at 24:12.11.
The Bengal girls finished in 16th place out of 37 teams with a score of 438. Fort Mill claimed first place at 141 points.
Westwood
Senior Emma Ashley, who announced her commitment to the University of South Carolina’s cross country team last week, led the way for Westwood. She finished in ninth place out of 249 runners at the 18:51.99 mark, just 18 seconds behind the top finisher in the International Varsity division.
Christina Tyndall finished at 12:29.68. Jaiya Carter finished at 24:54.02. Sarah Danbury clocked in at 25:21.87, and Amira Coleman finished at 25:27.76.
The Redhawk girls finished in 35th place out of 37 teams.
Eighth grader Sean Bullock was Westwood’s top finisher for the boys’ team. He finished in 89th place out of 342 runners at 19:03.94. Ty Owen finished at 20:33.06, and Blaize Owen crossed the line at 21:14.32. Kameron Williams finished at 21:23.22, and Alexander Drakes followed on his heels at 21:25.70.
Westwood’s boys ranked 38th out of 49 teams competing in the Championship division.
Up Next
Westwood and Blythewood hosted home meets on Wednesday, but times were not available before The Voice’s press deadline.
Westwood hosted CA Johnson, Columbia, Fairfield Central, Great Falls, Midlands STEM Charter School, Richland Northeast, Ridge View and Spring Valley. Blythewood played host to AC Flora, Eau Claire, Gray Collegiate and Lower Richland.
The Redhawks will compete in Battle of Camden on Nov. 2. Blythewood and Westwood will face off at the Region 5-5A Championship meet on Nov. 6 at Westwood.