Davis Seik - Cuthbertson High School
Cuthbertson freshman Davis Seik is off to a strong start for his high school running 17:00 for 6th place at Cannon XC Invitational, and is out on a quest for sub 17 this weekend at Hare & Hounds Invitational. Seik had a strong middle school career running 2:12, 4:54 and 12:07 for 800,1600, and 3200 respectively.
Lia and Ava Lathan
The Lathan twins were a huge addition, and much needed addition to Cary Academy's program this season. They finished 21st and 22nd respectively at Knights Crossing last week running side by side throughout the race. Earlier this season they were 2nd and 3rd behind Molly McGowan of Cardinal Gibbons at the BaySix 3K Kickoff. I expect these girls to get better and better with every race this season. They'll lace up once again this week at adidas XC Challenge.
Mark Alkins - Durham Academy
Alkins had the luxury of getting to race high school cross country as an eighth grader last season. He was a stud last XC and track season as an eighth grade and placed 14th at the NCISAA 3A Championships and dipped under 17 minutes at the TISAC Conference Championships last season running 16:56. He also showed tremendous talent on the track over 800m where he ran 1:58.26 for THIRD at the NCISA 3A Outdoor State Meet!
Kelsey Vogel - Green Hope
In only a short amount of time Vogel has made great strides thus far throughout the 2016 XC season. She started off with a 15th place finish amougst freshman and sophomore girls at the BaySix Kickoff where she ran 12:18 for 3K. She then placed 27th at Providence Invitational in 20:29. But last week at Friday Night Light Vogel threw down with a 4th place finish in 19:27! With a heavy graduation from Green Hope's team it's the freshman Vogel who has stepped up in a big way to help them restart their state title streak that ended last season.
Jacob Gallant - Walkertown
We knew Gallant was going to be a stud after looking at his success from middle school where he ran 5:06 for 1600 at the WSFCS Middle School Championships for 3rd. He was also the 5th guy in his county for XC. But Gallant has stepped it up in a big way early on in his HS career and has made a huge impact on a young Walkertown program running 17:01 to take 2nd in the Invitational Race at Jungle Run. He is a guy Walkertown will rely on heavily this XC season.
Madeline Hill - Cuthbertson Middle
Cuthbertson girls are really good this year, but Madeline HIll leads a strong Cuthbertson middle school team that would be able to beat a lot of high school teams. As only a 7th grader Hill has run 2:38, 5:27, and 11:48 for 800, 1600, and 3200 respectively. She has also eclipsed 10:57 for 3K in XC ! She is off to a strong year winning both of the meets she has raced narrowly over her teammates. I believe Hill will run at Hare & Hounds this weekend where she will hope to keep her undefeated streak alive for 2016. We will have on site coverage of Hill and Union County Middle school next week at the Union County Championships.