The No. 2 team on our cross country pre-season countdown are the Warriors of Weddington!
The runners-up at the 2020 NCHSAA 3A cross country state meet, the Warriors return in 2021 ready to get their revenge.
Although they lose four of their top seven to graduation, this is a program that has proven year-in and year-out they can develop new superstars right in front of our eyes.
Caden Townshend emerged as a star last season for Weddington as he finished runner-up at the cross country state meet.
Chauncey Chen had a strong outdoor season. He posted personal bests of 4:31 in the 1600m, and 9:30 in the 3200m. A 9:30 3200m mark is a good indicator that a sub-16:00 season from Chen is coming.
Their 3-4-5-6 have only a seven second gap between them. Sam Bland ran for Weddington during the state meet last season, where he finished 56th. Joshua Washington has the fastest personal best of that bunch, having ran 16:32.
Gavin Boutwell and Isaac Clark are entering their senior seasons and they want to make this one count. Clark ran 4:31 and 9:51 on the track giving him the slight edge of Boutwell, who ran 4:42 and 10:13.
With the move up to 4A their pack is going to be as crucial as ever in their quest of a state title.
| 1 | Weddington High School (NC) | 198 | ||
| 1) Caden Townshend | 15:29.40 | 2 | ||
| 2) Chauncey Chen | 16:07.60 | 15 | ||
| 3) Joshua Washington | 16:32.50 | 51 | ||
| 4) Sam Bland | 16:35.20 | 63 | ||
| 5) Gavin Boutwell | 16:36.90 | 67 | ||
| Average Time: 16:16.32 Total Time: 1:21:21.60 1-5 Split: 1:07.50 | ||||
| 6) Isaac Clark | 16:39.50 | 72 | ||
| 7) Cooper Taylor | 17:37.70 | 237 | ||