WCHS cross country

 On Aug. 26, the White County High School cross country teams showcased their dedication and talent at the Coffee County Invitational, despite racing under challenging conditions.

“I’m proud of everyone’s efforts last night on a hot night. 6 PRs and 6 improved times from first race for the girls. 6 PRs and 9 improved times from first race for the boys,” Coach Nathan Aaron said. “The goal is to just keep improving every race even if just by one second.”

 The girls’ team demonstrated remarkable improvement, recording six personal records (PRs) and several other notable times. Kayce Wright led the pack with a time of 24:35, achieving an impressive improvement of 1:28. Autumn Birdwell, running her first race, also marked a personal best with a time of 29:12. Addy Cocke and Saydee Carpenter contributed to the team’s success with 8 and 50-second improvements, respectively.

The boys’ team matched the girls’ enthusiasm and determination, with six personal records and nine athletes improving their previous times. Gabriel Wiles finished strong with a time of 19:23, while Mason LaLonde set a new personal record with a time of 21:20, improving by 1:19. Notably, Gabriel Clark also made his debut with an impressive time of 25:04, marking a personal record.

Below is a rundown of the official times from the Aug. 27 meet:

Girls’ times:

• Kayce Wright: 24:35 (1:28 improvement, PR)
• Hannah Rabchenia: 27:53
• Autumn Birdwell: 29:12 (first race, PR)
• Addy Cocke: 30:21 (8-second improvement, PR)
• Saydee Carpenter: 32:58 (50-second improvement, PR)
• Luci McKee: 34:28 (1:38 improvement)
• Breanna Powell: 34:51
• Harley Johnston: 37:51 (4:21 improvement)
• Poppy Shank: 38:09
• Estee Willis: 39:38 (first race, PR)
• Kassidy Hura: 41:17 (3:24 improvement, PR)

 Boys’ times:

• Gabriel Wiles: 19:23 (3-second improvement)
• Mason LaLonde: 21:20 (1:19 improvement, PR)
• Blake Cravens: 22:59 (20-second improvement)
• Jackson Burch: 23:47 (43-second improvement, PR)
• Chase Lewis: 23:51 (37-second improvement, PR)
• Gabriel Clark: 25:04 (first race, PR)
• Soma Yamamoto: 25:17 (41-second improvement, PR)
• Tyler Hernandez: 25:58 (57-second improvement, PR)
• Hunter Rigsby: 26:24 (40-second improvement)
• Lincoln Kugler: 27:57 (1:53 improvement)

On Aug. 31, WCHS cross country had a second meet, with more improvements on individual times. In addition, three White County runners finished in the top 30 racers. Gabriel Wiles finished 15th overall, with a time of 19:31 and was awarded a medal as a top 20 finisher. On the girls’ side, Kayce Wright also received a medal for her 18th overall finish, with a time of 24:57, and Hannah Rabchenia had a 24-second improvement from the race earlier in the week, finishing 30th overall, with a time of 27:29.

Other times from the Macon Bank Invitational were:

Girls’ times:

• Addy Cocke: 31:25
• Poppy Shank: 34:23 (3:46 improvement)
• Breanna Powell 34:26 (25-second improvement)
• Saydee Carpenter: 34:42
• Luci McKee: 34:59
• Estee Willis: 39:46
• Harley Johnston: 40:39
• Kassidy Hura: 40:36 (31-second improvement)

Boys’ times:                            

• Mason LaLonde: 21:59
• Chase Lewis: 26:32
• Jackson Burch: 26:32
• Tyler Hernandez: 27:33
• Hunter Rigsby: 28:22
• Lincoln Kugle: 30:50