Jefferson was well-represented at last Wednesday’s Spartan Ekiden cross country relay event, posting a top 10 finish.
The event, held at Athens Academy, pairs boys and girls runners on four-person teams for a 12K relay, with each member running a 3K leg. Jefferson fielded four teams, and its top team ran a combined time of 48:42 to finish seventh.
“The Ekiden is a fun alternative to the preparation of a regular 5K meet,” coach Allen Thompson said. “We (coach Sellers and coach Thompson) were extremely proud of our team’s focus.”
The top times for the boys among all four JHS teams werefreshman Kyle Kashua (10:33), senior Alec Jameson, senior Trae Timmerman (11:39) and senior Ash Warnock (11:58).
The top girls runners among the four squads were freshman Reese Bowles (13:02), senior Alison Missler (13:18), junior Holly Baron (14:02) and sophomore Cara Smith (14:08).
“Everyone pushed hard, competed and got better,” Thompson said. “Freshmen Kyle Kashuba and Reese Bowles are continuing to showcase why they’re two of the top young runners in Northeast Georgia.”
The Ekiden featured 48 teams. Jefferson’s second team finished 19th, the third team placed 23rd and the fourth team was 27th.
North Oconee’s top team finished first with a 44:19.
A junior varsity event was also held with Avery Chastain finishing second overall on the boys’ side with an 11:40, while freshman Kaylynn Rainey took fourth in the girls competition with a 15:42. Senior, Julia Ouellette was ninth with a 16:38.
Jefferson, which ran in a Tuesday meet at Banks County, will take part in East Jackson’s Eagle run this Saturday.
