BJHS Cross Country had major victories across all divisions at Pisgah with the Varsity and JV boys taking 1st place trophies and the Varsity and JV girls both bringing home 2nd place honors. Pisgah is arguably one of the toughest courses in the state with challenging hills and water crossings, but the entire BJHS team met the challenge winning trophies and setting numerous personal records.
It was the Varsity Boys first win of the season with Sr. Ryan Bender finishing 2nd, and Sr. James Garrison returning from an injury to place 3rd. Sam Pope had a strong 6th place run with Owen Crow 7th, Collin Spindle 9th, Wade Bucy 10th, Nick Lozano 14th, and Mathew Pimmel 18th rounding out the top 20.
The Varsity Girls team also brought home their first trophy of the season placing 2nd in a very competitive race that took everyone’s best effort. Several athletes stepped up in the absence of a number of dual sport athletes to get the job done and earn a hard-fought 2nd place finish. Lucy Halter led the effort finishing 8th with sister Molly Halter close behind in 11th. Elise Baumgartner earned a top 15 shirt with her effort coming in at 13th. Elain Bao 16th, Makenzie Edwards 17th and Jackie Sullivan 20th rounded out the top 20 in this best of the season team effort.
The JV boys added a first-place trophy to their collection with this week’s win. Caleb Johnson 1st, Luke Allen 3rd, and Jake Bryan 5th led the effort in this big first place finish. Eric Joy 6th and Owen Lang 8th rounded out the top ten. Oscar Nichols 11th, and Conrado Jocson 12th had impressive runs as well with Jacob Sigler 18th and Caleb Cooke 19th running strong to round out the top 20.
The JV girls added to their string of impressive wins as well this week finishing 2nd. Ami Marks won the overall race with Charlotte Droege 8th, Rachel Pennell 9th, Ilene Pour-Biazar 11th, and Sara Pennell 16th rounding out the scoring effort. Aubrey Spindle and Bonnie Halter secured the victory finishing in the displacing positions this week.
Despite this being a notably difficult and slower course several BJHS athletes managed to run personal best-ever times this week. Here’s the list: Nick Lozano, Lucas Guerra, Luke Allen, Jake Bryan, Owen Lang, Jacob Sigler, Connor Nicholson, Owen Johnston, Ami Marks, Charlotte Droege, and Ilene Pour-Biazar. Congratulations to these athletes!
Next week BJXC travels to the State Championship course to compete in the Chickasaw Trails Invitational. This is another difficult course which will draw over 120 teams from four states competing on this nationally famous course near the home of Olympic champion runner Jesse Owens.
*** Alumni News***
2020 BJHS Graduate and current Auburn University Freshman Hannah Thuss finished 8th overall to lead her Auburn team to a 2nd place finish at the JSU Foothills Invitational last Friday! Great job Hannah!!!