Speeding into September, East moves towards overall improvement.

On September 2, the cross-country team traveled to Shelbyville to compete in the annual Shelby County Invitational.

This 5k run was a morning race on a rainy day. The girls ran before the boys, starting at 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday. Though the weather might not have been ideal, the results of the overall team were.

Top boy runner on the team was junior Josh Wetzel, as he completed his 5k run with the time of 18:19.08, naming him runner number 18 out of 100 to finish the race. Junior Blake Hourigan came next clocking in at 20:21.27, placing 58. Right behind was junior Cole Davenport completing his run with a time of 20:25.31, making him runner number 59 to complete the race.

As the season progresses, team members encourage one another to further improve their runs. “My expectations for the year are that everyone improves and works hard both at practice and at the meets. I am excited to see who will work and make it to state,” said Davenport.   

Sophomore Zach Ballard came next with finishing his run with a time of 20:47.84, placing him 64. With a clock in time of 20:58.14, junior Caleb Pennington completed his run with the place of 68.

Over all the boys team at East came in ninth place out of 11, with an average run time of 20:10.

As for the girls, freshman Emily Tinelli placed sixth out of 84 in her varsity 5k run. Freshman Cassie Clements completed her run with the time of 23:33.62, and the place of 41. Next was freshman Abby Troutman ending her run with the clock time of 25:00.27 and a place of 55.

Junior Lindsey Spencer came next, ending her 5k in 25:21.52 naming her runner number 57 to complete the race. Then was junior Abigail Clarkson with the time of 26:49.57 and the place of 68.   

Not too far behind was freshman Linzey Walker, as she placed 76, with a clock in time of 28:08.58, she successfully completed her run. Placing 78 was freshman Jaiden Hammack with a time 28:31.57. Then was freshman Ashlee Williams as she completed her run in 30:05.66, she placed 81.

Over all, the girls team at East came in tenth place with an average time of 24:23.

All members of the team performed exceptionally well in the Shelby County Invitational. The runners continue to improve their times with each race.

Zooming into the season, clock in times are improving.

As of September 5, the XC team competed in the AAA Region 3 Master Meet #1 hosted at the Charlie Vettiner Park in Louisville, Kentucky.

This 3k run was held in the evening on a Tuesday. The girls began their run at 4:30 p.m. followed by the boys who ran at 5:00. The overall scores for east improved significantly with this run.

The top boy runner on the team was Wetzel as he came in second place out of 75, completing his 3k run with a time of 10:35.79. Davenport was after, competing his 3k in 11:17.80, delivering him with the place of 13. Right behind was Hourigan clocking in at 11:33.50, with a place of 19.

Next, with a with a place of 22, and a time of 11:44.70, Ballard completed his run. Not too far behind was Pennington, bringing it in with a time of 12:09.80, and a place of 33.

As for the girls, Tinelli came in second place out of 83, with a time of 12:33.70. Then was Clements in fifth place bringing it in with a time of 12:55.90. Spencer ended her 3k with a time of 14:49.40 and a place of 22.

Meredith Thornsberry was next with a time of 14:53.80, placing her 25. With a place of 34 Clarkson brought it in with a clock time of 15:26.40. Troutman was right behind her with a time of 15:32.60 and a place of 35. Walker ended her race with a time of 16:12.40, naming her runner number 43 out of 83 to finish.

Completing the race with a place of 59, was Hammack clocking in at 17:40.80. Then was McKenzie Ballard with a time of 20:12.40. Williams was after bringing it in with a clock time of  17:29.60 and a place of 56. Right behind was senior Marie Spatzenegger with a time of 17:32.70. Next on the team was freshman Camden Bohannon clocking in with a time of 11:02.30, and a place of 7 out of 83.

With many new additions to the team, there is noticeable improvement from the group as a whole. “This year, I think our teams are going to do great. Our girls team is much bigger than last year and we have some new talent. Our boys team also has some new additions that are really helping the team out,” said Thornsberry.

Over all, the girls team at East came in third place with an average time of 14:07.

All members of the East XC team have performed well in these past two meets. The team is continuing to improve in each run.  The next race was on September 9 at the third Annual Rumble Through the Jungle cross-country Invitational at the Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Goshen, Kentucky.