The course was tough and the weather conditions tougher, but the Winder-Barrow High School cross country teams showed a great deal of potential Saturday at a meet held at the University of Georgia Equestrian Center in Bishop.
The varsity girls were sixth overall while the varsity Bulldoggs were 14th. The WBHS junior varsity boys were ninth in their competition.
“Considering the obstacles that were there, this event was wide open,” said WBHS coach Michael Lofton. “There was no shade. It was 95 degrees. The heat was stiffling and sun was intense. We showed the other teams what we are made of by getting after it in this grueling event.”
Amanda Cope paced the Lady Bulldoggs, finishing seventh overall. Teammate Caitlin Connell was 20th overall. Special recognition was presented to the top 20 runners.
Josiah Bennett paced the WBHS boys followed by Skyler Lowe.
Alex Martinez was 22nd for the junior varsity boys with Nelson Lofton taking 27th.
Coach Lofton was impressed with how the varsity girls competed against such programs as Marist and Lakeside-Evans.
“We showed them we could run with them,” Lofton said. “In the boys race, we had good spacing which helped us have a strong showing. We still have a lot to improve on but we have accomplished a great deal in our first two events. Our junior varsity boys doing so well also pushes our varsity.”
The junior varsity girls race was canceled Saturday after several runners were taken to the hospital due to the heat elements.
The WBHS junior varsity teams will compete at Athens Academy Thursday while the varsity teams will compete again Sept. 17 in Macon. The space between competitions for the varsity program is a designed thing, Lofton said.
“I want our runners to focus on training and not so much on the races,” the coach said. “They want to be fresh for Saturday races so they cut back on training. By not racing every Saturday, they don’t have to hold back during practices.”
The WBHS runners were back at practice this week.
