The #21 Team on our Pre-Season XC Countdown are the Sanderson Spartans! Despite placing 6th in last season's NCHSAA 4A East Regional, every member of their team ran a personal best. While they are bringing back five of their top seven, (including four of the top five but losing #1 Mackenzie Merritt), they will have to rely on their strong pack in order to succeed. Sanderson has the 8th best returning 1-5 split in the state. Rising senior Kristen Clodgo holds the fastest personal best on the team having ran 19:45. Right on her heels are rising juniors Lauren Stojka and Maslan Vogelsberg who hold personal bests of 19:49 and 19:57.
Not far off the top three come Aubrey Loftis and Rachel Webster. Loftis holds a personal best of 20:25, while Webster sits at 20:32. The two were only 5 places apart at the NCHSAA 4A East Regional, but Loftis got the better of her teammate. Loftis ran 2:49 in the 800m during the short Outdoor Season showing her potential for the future.
Though their pack is strong, their depth will be tested this season. They are the #6 team in their region but are very capable of moving into the top five and qualifying for the State Meet. Clodgo, Stojka, and Vogelsberg are going to have to compete with the best of the best in their region to give their team a chance. Their 6th runner is almost 2:00 behind Webster, so if one member of their top five has an off day it could be crucial. However, if all their runners have great races on the same day this team could very well compete for the 4A East Title and be one of the top in the state.
The #21 Team on our Pre-Season XC Countdown are the Sanderson Spartans! Despite placing 6th in last season's NCHSAA 4A East Regional, every member of their team ran a personal best. While they are bringing back five of their top seven, (including four of the top five but losing #1 Mackenzie Merritt), they will have to rely on their strong pack in order to succeed. Sanderson has the 8th best returning 1-5 split in the state. Rising senior Kristen Clodgo holds the fastest personal best on the team having ran 19:45. Right on her heels are rising juniors Lauren Stojka and Maslan Vogelsberg who hold personal bests of 19:49 and 19:57.
Not far off the top three come Aubrey Loftis and Rachel Webster. Loftis holds a personal best of 20:25, while Webster sits at 20:32. The two were only 5 places apart at the NCHSAA 4A East Regional, but Loftis got the better of her teammate. Loftis ran 2:49 in the 800m during the short Outdoor Season showing her potential for the future.
