By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
WARR ACRES – After opening the season with two challenging meets, Yukon’s cross country teams needed something to just go out and dominate.
The Millers and Millerettes did just that.
Yukon competed against Putnam City North and Original in a triangular meet Thursday at Dolese Park and both teams literally ran away with the meet titles.
The Millerettes would have had the second place finish as well as the JV team finished ahead of North and Original. Yukon had the top 15 placers in the meet.
“I was really happy with how the girls ran,” Millerette coach Rod Zimmerman said. “I have always coached to run against the competition but this group responds really well to run against the clock which I learned last year at the SCU meet. This was kind of the same set up, we knew the PCN girl could run with them and then they needed to beat the clock.
“Everyone ran a season personal record,” he added. Harper (Barlow), Bri (Abbott) and Lauren (Brown) along with our Freshmen Nora (England), Emma (Rouner), Audrey (Thompson), Cateyn (McCarthey) and Lily (Pecina) ran career PRs.
“There has been nothing to complain about with how this group works, that main core group has been together since the canceled the track season running and preparing for the season, then we a group that jumped in on July 15th and and a small group that started with us when we officially started school that are catching up quickly. All of these groups are starting to see that work paying off and know we have more to do. I felt today and the results show it, they naturally run really smart when they are relaxed and not worried about the competition. They are also getting in pretty good shape and are competitive to the end of the race.)
Avery Stanley won the meet in a runaway, cracking the 20 minute mark for the first time. Stanley ran the course in 19 minutes and 47 seconds.
Elora Jones finished second in 20:03, Barlow finished fourth in 20:59, Kailin Parks was fifth in 21:12 and Rena Henson sixth in 21:30.
Abbott finished seventh in 22:08 and Brown eighth in 22:10 rounded out the scoring. Emily Schneider finished ninth in 23:33 and England was 10th in 23:38.
The Millers, after two rough outings in their first two starts, ran away with the field as well having 17 runners finish in the top 20.
“We did well,” Miller coach Matt Parent said. “I was really pleased with how we ran. We had our best practice of the year on Tuesday, and I think it showed today.
“Austin (Miller) did a great job for us,” he added. _”That’s the Austin that I see weekly in practice. He looked smooth throughout the race. I’m really happy for him. Kayden (Chapparro and Jonah (Hanscomhad their best race. It’s huge to get them in the 17’s. Also Cade (Pope) ran right at his best as well, and right behind him was Zach (Woods). These guys are getting incrementally better every week.
“The surprise of the week was Brandon (McCoy). He ran a 17:56 and finished fourth overall. He has really been looking good in practice. If he can continue to do this, he’s going to really help our team.”
Miller turned in his best time, running a 17:32 to win. Chapparo was second in 17:52 and McCoy was fourth in 17:56. Pope was fifth in 18:16 and Woods rounded out the scoring in 18:22.
Michael Gartman (eighth in 18:59), Hayden Griffin (ninth in 19:08) and Caleb Ankrom (10th in 19:11) rounded out the top 10.
Yukon travels to Choctaw will compete at Choctaw on Friday.
