The East Jackson Eagles cross country team continued to perform well as they move towards the 8-AA region meet this weekend at Riverside Military Academy.
First, the boys defended their 2007 title in the MainStreet Invitational held at East Jackson last Tuesday, while the girls placed second out of six schools competing.
Then on Saturday, the boys placed 13th out of 24 teams taking part in the Last Chance meet in Carrolton, while the girls finished seventh out of 16 teams.
In the MainStreet Invitational, East Jackson’s boys had four runners in the top ten, with a total of 75 runners taking part.
Brandon Banks took the top spot, with a school record time of 17:45.
Kevin Kesler placed fourth with a 18:08; Terry Miller placed sixth with a personal best of 18:13; senior Andy Van Deventer placed ninth in his final home meet with a 19:17; senior Chris White placed 12th in his final home meet with a 19:35; Eric Van Deventer placed 15th with a 19:49; Josh Kesler placed 16th with a 19:59; Jon Mead finished 27th with a 20:38; Kent Edwards placed 32nd with a 20:49 (PB); Stuart Robinett placed 34th with a 21:13; Edward Stone placed 35th with a 21:25; Adrian Woodruff placed 41st with a 22:01; John Kesler placed 44th with a 22:20; Kyle Wood placed 46th with a 23:01; Joseph Cook finished 50th with a 23:34(PB); and Luke Derochers placed 64th with a 25:32.
The girls finished second only to Jefferson, outperforming Jackson County, Banks County, Madison County and Commerce.
Individually, Sherri Blalock placed third overall out of 47 runners with a 21:05.
Kassie Mull placed fifth with a 22:11 (PB); senior Hope Boggs, in her last home meet, finished 13th with a 23:36; Amanda Anderson placed 16th with a 24:12; Skyler Cozzens placed 18th with a 24:25; Dakota Chandler placed 23rd with a 25:14; Brittany Blackwell placed 30th with a 27:48; Alexis Powell finished 32nd with a 27:42; Courtney Clark placed 34th with a 28:15; Jessie Harper placed 36th with a 28:38; and Aubrey Cozzens placed 40th with a 29:54.
Up next was Saturday’s meet in Carrollton. Kevin Kesler was the top runner for the boys out of 209 that participated, placing 22nd with a time of 17:49.
Other finishers included Brandon Banks with an 18:40; Chris White with a 19:38; Andy Van Deventer with a 20:03; Josh Kesler with a 20:15; Eric Van Deventer with a 20:16; Blake Allbright with a 20:22; Kyle Wood with a 22:01; Kent Edwards with a 22:09; and Edward Stone with a 22:56.
For the girls, Sherri Blalock placed tenth out of 129 runners with a time of 21:01.
Other finishers included Kassie Mull with a 22:53; Hope Boggs with a 24:26: Skyler Cozzens with a 24:35; Amanda Anderson with a 24:52; Dakota Chandler with a 25:16; and Aubrey Cozzens with a 30:19.
