Pair of WBHS runners tapped for honors

Juniors Skyler Lowe and Caitlin Connell were named the MainStreet Newspapers’ boys and girls runners of the week respectively by area coaches.

Lowe, who has run competitively since seventh grade, has led the WBHS boys’ team for the past two years.

“Skyler has struggled this year, but is beginning to show good progress,” coach Michael Lofton said.

Case in point. Lowe ran a 17:42 at the Sept. 17 Mercer RunFit Sports XC Challenge, marking a 40-second improvement over his previous race. Lowe then followed that up with a season-best 17:33 Saturday at the FSU Seminole Invitational.

“Skyler is back on track and I expect his times to keep coming down,” Lofton said. “Last year he ran in the 16s several times, and I am sure he will be doing that again by region.”

Connell has been a big contributor to the WBHS girls’ program since her freshman year when she ran consistently in the 19s. She was plagued with a hip injury her sophomore year but is injury free this season and is already making great progress.

“Caitlin puts a lot into her training and it is paying off,” Lofton said.

Connell posted a season-best 19:58 at the Sept. 17 Mercer RunFit Sports XC Challenge and then ran a 20:14 at the FSU Seminole Invitational.

“We feel that she is on her way to another very successful season,” Lofton said.