Corey Brakhage logged Madison County’s only sub-20-minute time at Saturday’s University of Georgia Invitational, leading the Raiders with a 19:57.
Madison County finished 21st out of 23 teams in the varsity race.
Raider coach Tim Cornett expressed “mixed emotions” regarding the team’s showing at UGA, which was both a high school and college meet.
The coach had hoped his team would run on a wide-open course “with outstanding competition” to test its fitness.” But rainy weather didn’t allow for that type of race.
“Instead, the course was saturated and became a complete mudfest by the time we raced after the college races,” Cornett said. “On the other hand, I was excited they were allowed that opportunity. It’s rare to race in those conditions, therefore it was fun to see them mix it up in the mud.”
Brakhage, who finished 98th out of a field of 194, was followed by Dalton Owensby (153rd, 21:47), Scott Barnes (156th, 22:00), Codey Brakhage (167th, 22:26), Mauro Ortiz (170th, 22:31), Chris Brown (190th, 25:35) and Brett Coggins (194th 26:56).
“It’s one of those races that they should look back on and remember not for the performance but for the experience,” Cornett said. “I am proud of all the runners who started and finished on Saturday. They all deserve credit.”
Raiders running in the junior varsity race were Austin Kelley (219th, 26:16), Eli Smallwood (244th, 28:45), Mark Pulliam (248th, 29:10), Drew Cofer (257th, 30:39), Taylor Crouse (258th, 30:48) and Kyle Manning (261, 31:20).
Madison County runs today (Thursday) at home against Commerce, East Jackson and Jackson County at 4:30 p.m.
UGA Invitational results
•Varsity boys
Corey Brakhage, 98th, 19:57
Dalton Owensby, 153rd, 21:47
Scott Barnes, 156th, 22:00
Codey Brakhage, 167th, 22:26
Mauro Ortiz, 170th, 22:31
Chris Brown, 190th, 25:35
Brett Coggins, 194th 26:56
•Junior varsity boys
Austin Kelley, 219th, 26:16
Eli Smallwood, 244th, 28:45
Mark Pulliam, 248th, 29:10
Drew Cofer, 257th, 30:39
Taylor Crouse, 258th, 30:48
Kyle Manning, 261, 31:20
