Johanna Nelson, Marissa Young, Haley Alcorn headed to XC Regional again
October 12, 2022 at 7:50 p.m.
Three Union County High School cross country runners will represent UCHS at the IHSAA Cross Country Regional at Rushville on Saturday, Oct. 15.
The trio of Lady Patriots, Johanna Nelson, Marissa Young and Haley Alcorn, have led the Lady Patriots throughout the season and didn’t disappoint at sectional again this year. The UC trio (two seniors and a junior) were among the top ten individuals not on an advancing team to advance to the regional at Rushville on Saturday, Oct. 15.
“I looked for the girls to repeat this year and I did a little homework to figure out who we had to be in front of at the finish line,” UC Coach Phil Cox said. “Johanna and Marissa were comfortably in the top 10 after 2-plus miles. However Haley found herself in 11th place, not 10th place after the 2-mile mark.”
Once Haley knew of the situation, she moved up and secured the 10th spot by over a minute to assure that all three girls would advance to regional.
“Johanna had the top spot on the girls, which is her first time doing that this year,” Cox said. “Hopefully this will carry over to the regional meet and create a little friendly competition to push these girls forward.”
Nelson’s sectional time was 23:28. Young came in at 23:35 and Alcorn 25:06. UC sophomore Rayn Story finished the race (31:11) but did not advance.
Tri High freshman Jillian Chew won 5000 meter women’s race in 20:20 with Richmond’s Elizabeth Graham (20:29) and Marissa Cates of Northeastern in pursuit at 20:45.
The top five sectional teams, Centerville, Richmond, New Castle, Connersville, and Rushville, and the top 10 individual runners not on an advancing team move on to regional competition.
The Centerville girls beat out second place New Castle, 33-78, to win the team title.
The Northeastern Knights won the boys team title with 40 points to 65 points for Richmond in second place.
Chase Cates of Northeastern was the individual winner of the boys 5000 meter race in 18:00 with teammate Logan Smith pushing him in second place at 18:27.
Three UCHS runners also finished the boys 5000 meter race, including sophomore Landon Klingman (23:50), senior Jack Hodgkin (24:26) and freshman Wyatt Pearson (25:17).
“Landon has significantly improved this year, taking 4 or 5 minutes off his personal record. He has a huge heart and a bigger personality, I'm sincerely grateful that he's a Patriot!” Cox stated. “Jack finishes his high school cross country career second on our team. He fought injuries all season, but never gave up and continued to run. We will miss Jack's leadership next year and him in general, he's one I won't forget.”
The IHSAA Cross Country Regional is at Rushville this Saturday, Oct. 15. The girls race begins at 10:30 a.m. The boys race is at 11:15 a.m.
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Three Union County High School cross country runners will represent UCHS at the IHSAA Cross Country Regional at Rushville on Saturday, Oct. 15.
The trio of Lady Patriots, Johanna Nelson, Marissa Young and Haley Alcorn, have led the Lady Patriots throughout the season and didn’t disappoint at sectional again this year. The UC trio (two seniors and a junior) were among the top ten individuals not on an advancing team to advance to the regional at Rushville on Saturday, Oct. 15.
“I looked for the girls to repeat this year and I did a little homework to figure out who we had to be in front of at the finish line,” UC Coach Phil Cox said. “Johanna and Marissa were comfortably in the top 10 after 2-plus miles. However Haley found herself in 11th place, not 10th place after the 2-mile mark.”
Once Haley knew of the situation, she moved up and secured the 10th spot by over a minute to assure that all three girls would advance to regional.
“Johanna had the top spot on the girls, which is her first time doing that this year,” Cox said. “Hopefully this will carry over to the regional meet and create a little friendly competition to push these girls forward.”
Nelson’s sectional time was 23:28. Young came in at 23:35 and Alcorn 25:06. UC sophomore Rayn Story finished the race (31:11) but did not advance.
Tri High freshman Jillian Chew won 5000 meter women’s race in 20:20 with Richmond’s Elizabeth Graham (20:29) and Marissa Cates of Northeastern in pursuit at 20:45.
The top five sectional teams, Centerville, Richmond, New Castle, Connersville, and Rushville, and the top 10 individual runners not on an advancing team move on to regional competition.
The Centerville girls beat out second place New Castle, 33-78, to win the team title.
The Northeastern Knights won the boys team title with 40 points to 65 points for Richmond in second place.
Chase Cates of Northeastern was the individual winner of the boys 5000 meter race in 18:00 with teammate Logan Smith pushing him in second place at 18:27.
Three UCHS runners also finished the boys 5000 meter race, including sophomore Landon Klingman (23:50), senior Jack Hodgkin (24:26) and freshman Wyatt Pearson (25:17).
“Landon has significantly improved this year, taking 4 or 5 minutes off his personal record. He has a huge heart and a bigger personality, I'm sincerely grateful that he's a Patriot!” Cox stated. “Jack finishes his high school cross country career second on our team. He fought injuries all season, but never gave up and continued to run. We will miss Jack's leadership next year and him in general, he's one I won't forget.”
The IHSAA Cross Country Regional is at Rushville this Saturday, Oct. 15. The girls race begins at 10:30 a.m. The boys race is at 11:15 a.m.