Sports Summary: Cross-Country Athletes Race to the Finish Line in First Two Meets of Season

By Ethan Ellis--Eagle Staff Writer

The Cross Country season is in full swing, and both the boys' and girls' teams have competed in two meets so far. Led by Coaches Chris Williams and Kevin Bowman, the Eagles will take on Piedmont District rivals such as Lord Botetourt, William Byrd, and Northside.

Andrew Riddle (10) sprints up the hill to the finish line at William Byrd High School.

The teams hosted their first meet of the year at Waid Park in Rocky Mount on March 10. Franklin County runners junior Addison Shorter and sophomore Nathan Atchue won the boys' and girls' races respectively. Shorter came in with a time of 20:12 and was 71 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. Atchue came in with a time of 17:06.

Also scoring for the girls' team were freshman Julianne Bowman in 7th place, junior Caroline Horne in 10th place, senior Harper Dillon in 17th place, freshman Whitney Holland in 21st place, senior Morgan Lietz in 27th place, and sophomore Natalie Davis in 28th place.

The Lady Eagles finished second out of the four teams that attended the meet, losing by only 11 points to Lord Botetourt. Finishing behind the Eagles was William Byrd in third and Northside in fourth.

As mentioned, the boys' squad was led by Atchue. Other male runners who scored for Franklin County were sophomore Parker Chapman in 5th, freshman Kyle Roach in 9th, sophomore Andrew Riddle in 13th, junior Josh Mills in 22nd, senior Ethan Ellis in 23rd, and sophomore Sebastian Ellis in 25th. The boys also finished second, 17 points behind Lord Botetourt.

Roman Ciulla (12) leads Sebastian Ellis (10) as they race for position. (Courtesy photo)

Then on March 22, the teams traveled to William Byrd High School for their second meet of the year to take on Lord Botetourt, Northside, and William Byrd. Shorter dominated the girls' race once again with a time of 21:43.

Also scoring for the girls were Dillon in 13th, Horne in 20th, Holland in 24th, Lietz in 26th, and Davis in 27th. The Lady Eagles finished fourth out of four teams, but were one runner down as Bowman wasn't able to compete in this race due to injury.

In their second race, Atchue once again won for the boys with a time of 18:21. Chapman once again came in 5th, followed by Roach in 12th, Riddle in 14th, Ethan Ellis in 20th, Sebastian Ellis in 21st, and Mills in 22nd. The team finished second just like their first meet, 16 points behind Lord Botetourt.