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Girls and Boys Cross Country Teams Perform Well Under Tough Conditions

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For the sixth year in a row, both the Boys’ and Girls’ Wesleyan Varsity Cross Country teams made it to the state meet. After a state championship for the boys and a runner-up finish for the girls in 2014, the runners were hungry for another solid performance. The races were held at Carrollton Elementary school on a five kilometer course under very muddy conditions. “Today we faced the toughest state course that I have ever seen. I feel like we rose to the challenge and attacked it head on,” said Head Coach Chad McDaniel.
This year, the boys finished third out of 31 schools with a fifth place finish from junior Bailey Renfroe, a 13th place finish from senior Mikey Olson, 16th from senior Henry Collins, 25th from sophomore Peter Hess and 26th from senior Clay Tyler. Times were slowed substantially by course conditions. Ahead of the Wolves were state champions from Bleckley County and runner-up finishers from Pace Academy. Collins has struggled with a back injury for the majority of the season which had a significant impact on the team. Renfroe has consistently led the team and typically finishes with sub-18 minute times.
The girls finished runner-up for the second year in a row out of 29 schools with a fourth place finish from senior Ellie Bradach, seventh place from senior Kylie Reed, 19th from senior Beck Coxhead, 20th from freshman Quinn Kaloper and 28th from junior Sophia Kidder. Lovett came in first. Solid senior leadership has been a big factor for the girls.
Wesleyan’s cross country program has consistently contended for state championships over the last 15 years, and draws enormous participation from the student body. This year, well over 100 high school students participated. McDaniel leads the team with the help of six other coaches. “I believe that we are able to compete at a high level every year because our athletes are willing to endure a great deal of pain day after day for a greater cause. They are doing it for each other,” said McDaniel.

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