Sallisaw’s cross country runners are (in front from left) John Eldridge, Jaycee Mayfield, Jake Anderson, (middle row from left) Bailey Nash, Michael Netz, Ben Dodson, (in back from left) Ethan Moreno and Vince Alwine. (Mike Erwin•TIMES)
Sophomore Bailey Nash paced the Diamonds with a top-10 finish as Sallisaw placed seventh in the team standings at the Class 4A regional on Saturday.
“I’m real excited about these boys because they work hard. I like doing cross country with them because they make it fun,” said SHS coach Darrel Hume
Nash came in 10th overall with a time of 18 minutes, 34 seconds on the 5,000-meter course.
“He’s improved dramatically over the season. He works at it hard, so he deserves it,” said Hume.
Ben Dodson, a 300-meter hurdler during track season, showed his versatility by placing 33rd with a time of 19:40.
The next Sallisaw finisher was Michael Netz, who ran a 20:03 to place 38th.
“He had been sick with the flu and hadn’t worked out in a week and half. It was his first time back out in competition and he had it rough, but he worked hard for us,” said Hume.
The coach was also impressed with the improvement shown by John Eldridge and Jake Anderson. Eldridge ran a 20:08 to get 41st and Anderson came in 73rd with a 22:37.
The Sallisaw boys will compete at the Class 4A state meet on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at Mitch Park in Edmond.
Sallisaw almost had a female state qualifier as well, but freshman Jaycee Mayfield narrowly missed the cut.
Mayfield ran the 3,200-meter girls’ race on Saturday and finished with a time of 14:00 to get 23rd overall. Bristow‘s Shawnda Cheney edged her by three seconds to grab the final individual berth to the state meet.
“She has probably improved more than any athlete I’ve seen,” Hume said.
Class 4A Regional Top-3 Boys: 1, Martin Calderon (Blakcwell), 16:54; 2, Jerimiah Snelgrove (Piedmont), 17:31; 3, David Annett (Metro Chr.), 17:36.
Boys Team Results: 1, Metro Chr. 25; 2, Piedmont 94; 3, Jay 103; 4, Poteau 121; 5, Mannford 137; 6, Newcastle 149; 7, Sallisaw 162; 8, Cleveland 180; 9, Bristow 209; 10, Inola 251.
Top-3 Girls: 1, Jori Davis (Piedmont), 12:15; 2, Kelsey McKee (Metro Christian), 12:25; 3, Jerika Davis (Piedmont), 12:30.
Girls Team Results: 1, Metro Christian 47; 2, Piedmont 55; 3, Vinita 99; 4, Jay 138; 5, Poteau 153; 6, Inola 158; 7, Newcastle 163; 8, Sequoyah-Cl. 164; 9, Mannford 168; 10, Bristow 245; 11, Okmulgee 253.
