Pictured are (from left to right): Hannah Grigsby, Madelyn Herrin, Amelia Watts, Camille Kelley, Breanna Lopez, Bailey Caddy, Sabra Leavitt, Heather Johnson, and Serenity Harrison, with Coach Tim Appleget. Not pictured: Isabella Nix and Javen Young.
Article and Photos By Russ Walker
The 4A Region 3 Cross Country Championship was held at Joe Mack Campbell Park in Jonesboro last week, and Southside High School and Junior High School were among the schools that were participating.
The Southside Junior High girls team took first place in the Conference Championship. The junior high race was 2400 meters or 1.5 miles long.
The team was led by Breanna Lopez, in 2ndnd place in a time of 10:50. Finishing strongly in 4th place was Bailey Caddy in a time of 11:05. Following two places later was Serenity Harrison in 6th place in a time of 11:20. These top three runners were in the top ten and thus also earned individual medals.
The next scoring runners for the Southerners were Camille Kelly in 15th place in a time of 13:13, and Sabra Leavitt in 16th place in a time of 13:16.
The other members of the girls junior high squad were Isabella Nix, Javen Young, Hannah Grigsby, Heather Johnson, Madelyn Herrin, and Amelia Watts.
This was a very competitive race. The Southside junior high girls team scored 43 points, narrowly beating Westside Consolidated, who had 46 points. Following close behind that was Brookland with 52 points. So less than 10 points separated the first and third teams. (For those who are new to Cross Country, it is the lowest team score that wins.)
In the boys’ senior high race, Paolo Mathieu earned an individual medal by finishing in the top ten. He took 8th place with a time of 20:20.
The next stop for the Southside senior high teams will be the State Meet on Nov. 2 in Hot Springs.
The Southside Cross Country teams are led by Coach Tim Appleget and assistant Russ Walker.
Southside Junior High Girls individual medal winners (from left): Bailey Caddy, Breanna Lopez, and Serenity Harrison.
The entire Southside High School and Junior High Cross Country teams.
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