Meet Recap: Multiple course records go down

Junior High Recap

Emma Raines, East Rankin Academy

The JV Girls race was an exciting one to start the year on. The two-mile race started with East Rankin Academy's Emma Raines taking it out fast. However, after her speedy start, she was caught by the pack. After fighting for placement at the end of the race, she was able to make a move and kick past Lena Cole and Kambree Frazure at the end before the final hill. 

Raines placed first with a time of 13:31. Behind her was a tight finish at the line. Cole of Park Place Christian Academy edged out Frazure of Hartfield academy. Cole finished at 13:38.00 and Frazure finished at 13:38.40. 

In fourth place was Park Place Christian Academy's, Hannah Loden.

Even though Park Place had two girls in the top four, East Rankin Academy still got the win.

East Rankin Academy's whole top five runners were in the top ten finishers. A score like that is almost impossible to beat.

The JV Boys race was won by Simpson Academy's own Jayden Smith.


Jayden Smith, Simpson Academy

The freshman took the lead early on and did not look back as he secured the two-mile win with a time of 11:54. This was a PR for Smith as he shaved 11 seconds off his 3200 time from this past track season. With an improvement like this at the start of the season, big things are ahead for the youngster from Simpson Academy.

Smith was followed by seventh-grader Parker Payne, who placed second with a time of 12:14. After placing second in the first race of the season, Payne should have a fun time this year racing the junior high circuit.

Behind Payne was a slew of East Rankin Academy Boys filling out the third through sixth places. East Rankin Academy's fifth runner also placed eighth. This performance by East Rankin Academy as a whole was stellar, as they won with a score of 26 points. If they can keep on pack running like this, they will be a quick unit for the rest of the season, and years to come.

All in all, the future looks bright for East Rankin.

With the first race done, the season is underway and many more exciting meets will come.