Blythewood runners Hunter Jarvis, James Palmer and TJ Kirby make the turn in Saturday’s state meet. (Photo/DeAnna Robinson)
COLUMBIA – The Blythewood boys cross country team wrapped up their most successful season in school history Saturday by finishing ninth at the 4A state championship meet at Sandhills. The team entered the meet ranked 10th in the state, and the ninth-place finish is the first top 10 finish in school history. The team was led by senior Mike Lantz, who earned All-State honors by finishing sixth overall with a time of 15 minutes and 58 seconds. Other top performers were James Palmer (46th in 17:05), TJ Kirby (48th in 17:07), Brandon Hardwick (56th in 17:10) and Hunter Jarvis (83rd in 17:37).
With his sixth-place finish Saturday, Lantz becomes the only runner in S.C. this year to earn All-State honors for four consecutive years at the 4A level. Lantz was also selected to represent S.C. in the Shrine Bowl Game Ball Run on Dec. 21, making him the first Blythewood runner to receive this honor.
For the Lady Bengal runners, Abby Branham finished 51st with a time of 20:22.98, and Aleah Wilson 83rd in 21:12.34.
In the Class 3A meet, Westwood’s Ereck Lewis finished 15th for the ninth-place overall Redhawks with a time of 16:36.27. Also running for the ‘Hawks were: Kevin Rosemond (36th, 17:35.77); Caleb Wilson (51st, 17:52.42); Deshaun Felder (100th, 18:40.68); Tre’Von King (120th, 19:06.89); Marcus McNear (144th, 19:42.57); and Wesley Randolph (158th, 20:44.97).
