Knights Run At Blackford
The Southwood cross country teams ran at the Blackford Invite Saturday.
The Knight Harriers traveled to Blackford for an early morning meet. With cooler temps and a well-groomed course, the Knights locked in on their goal times and showed up ready to compete.
Leading the way for the Knights once again this week was James Unger. Unger, continuing to drop seconds off his time with each race, did not disappoint. Finishing 9th overall in a field of 61 runners, Unger dropped his previous personal best time by 21 seconds, setting a new PR at 18:01.6.
On the heels of Unger was Luke Andrews, with another excellent performance. Andrews broke through a mental barrier to destroy his own personal season best as well as his PR set during the 2022 season. Andrews finished 12th overall in a time of 18:32.8, beating his season best time by 59 seconds and his overall PR previously set at the 2022 sectional meet by 19 seconds.
Running 3rd for the Knights was Andrew Wright, who followed the lead of his teammates and put down a new personal record of 21:53.5. Wright’s effort blew away his previous best time by 1 minute and 53 seconds. Wright placed 40th overall.
Senior cross country rookie, Ryan Deeter, continues to make impressive gains with each racing experience. Deeter’s overall work ethic, daily effort, and attitude are significantly impacting his performance as he once again set a new personal best time by shaving 42 more seconds off to set a new PR of 22:29.6. Deeter placed 43rd overall.
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Much like the boys’ team, the Lady Knights continue to make gains as each runner raced to set new personal best times at the Blackford Invite.
Shelby Thomas led the way by chasing down and overtaking competitors from the shot of the gun to the finish line. She finished 3rd in the field of 39 runners, shaving another 32 seconds off her previous time to set a new PR of 21:26.7.
Jaiya Corn not only ran a season best time, but also broke her previous career PR by running a 24:17.0 and placing 24th overall.
Olivia Ranck improved her time by 4 seconds and finished in 34th.
The Knights will compete in the West Noble Invite next Saturday.
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Zander Chellis took a first place victory in Saturday’s Blackford Invitational. He ran a career best time of 11:41.3. Riley Sutphin finished in 28th place with a season best time of 13:42.3.
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Paige Nelson came out on top in Saturday’s Blackford Invitational with a first place time, and season best, of 12:55.4. Ava Stouffer finished in fourth place with a season best time of 13:39.2. Ellie Simpson came in 23rd place with a career best time of 17:05.1. Ambry Strickler placed 24th with a season best time of 17:13.1. Dallis Kroft (31st place, season best time of 18:50.4) edged out Rayli Pershing (32nd place, season best time of 18:50.8) in a close finish.
