Heading into the 2024 cross country season, Drew DeLorenzo had no idea just how good his team could do.
The Cumberland County coach knew his team had the potential to be very successful and find a way to get both the boys and the girls into the state tournament.
However, DeLorenzo was even a little surprised by how well his squads would in fact do. At last week’s regional meet in Knoxville, the CCHS boys finished third out of 12 teams, while the girls ran as individuals.
That earned a berth for the entire boys team in the state championship, while the girls will send Caylin Hale and Rebekah Ostrander. The state event was Nov. 7 in Hendersonville.
Zach Ostrander put his stamp on the region meet by taking first in the Boys A-AA Region 2 Division. He had a time of 16 minutes and 25 seconds.
Cayden Wallace finished second for CCHS after he completed the Victor Ashe Park course in 18:47, good enough for 12th overall. Atley Hofnecht was 16th in the final standings with a time of 19:05.
Huc McCall posted a time of 19:24 to finish 19th overall. Riley Cox was 23rd in the boys division after he posted a time of 19:32.
Riley Cox was 23rd for the Jets, Eden Kean was 27th and Landon Wilson finished 34th. Cox had a time of 19:32, while Kean posted a time of 19:47, and Wilson finished in 20:43.
Hale set the pace for the Cumberland County girls. She finished the region race with a time of 22:27, good enough for seventh overall.
Rebekah Ostrander had a time of 23:46 to finish 15th overall, while Alexis Carroll was just four spots back in 19th after finishing in 24:47.
The state meet in Hendersonville started at 1:40 p.m with the girls race, and the boys will start at 2:50 p.m. Results were not available by deadline.
Clarkrange’s Taylor heading to state
Clarkrange High School standout Chloe Taylor qualified to participate in the state cross country championship this week in Hendersonville.
Taylor, running for York Institute because CHS does not have a team, finished 10th in the Class A-AA, Region 4 Meet last week in Lafayette, TN.
She had an impressive time of 22:22.