O'Bryan and Reynolds lead Runawayz at CCCNYC in Ohio

On a day that was better suited to fireplaces and video games, several Kentucky athletes ran in the Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championships at Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio.  Windblown snow and cold contributed to a very challenging day for harriers.

 

The meet was dominated by the Kansas City-based Brocaw Blazers, the Elgin Sharks, and Philadelphia CYO.  These teams produced several outstanding performances.  Kentucky runners did have a few bright spots, however.   Averi Faulk, Clara Lynch, and and Haley Webb of the Oldham Trailblazers finished 4^th, 7^th, and 8^th among 9 year olds competing in the Bantam Girls Division.   Abby Gilliland of the Trailblazers finished 5^th among 10 year olds in the Bantam Division.   

 

The girls midget division included the only Kentucky team to make it to the podium on Saturday.   Tied for second at 73 points with Philadelphia CYO, the Runawayz were given third place on a tie breaker.  In a very close race, the spread between the first place Elgin Sharks and third was only 11 points.  Whitney O’Bryan of Daviess County Middle School led the Runawayz with a 4^th place overall finish (3^rd among 12 year olds), followed by Amelia Reynolds of College View Middle in 7^th (5^th), Sydney Loucks (CVMS) in 15^th (9^th), Alex Girten of Owensboro Middle School in 25^th (16^th) and Kali Vincent of Muhlenberg South in 35^th (24^th). 

 

In the boys midget division, David Terkula of Liberty finished 4^th among 11 year olds.  Running for Team Kentucky, Daniel Wolfer of Conner finished 9^th among 13 year olds in the Youth Division, and Mark Johnson of Liberty finished 10^th.