The Shadow
Kiera Lowman’s dominating freshman year continued at the Class 2, Region C meet, following a regional title at Green Hill Park in Salem.
With 56 runners in the girls 5K meter run, Lowman for the sixth time in seven meets, crossed the finish line first, this time with a personal-best (PR) of 18:32.65.
The next closest to her was Clara Moldenhauer of Nelson County, who finished over one minute (1:24.71) behind Lowman.
Lowman now is heading for the state meet.
“If Kiera shows up healthy to the starting line, she is gonna have fun and test other runners fitness and heart”, said AHS XC head coach, Jeremy Bartley on Lowman heading into the state meet.
While it was a big day for Lowman, it was also a big day for the girls team as a group as Lowman helped pace the girls cross country team to a second overall finish at regionals, while the team also qualified for the state meet that takes place tomorrow.
“We have been plagued with sickness the last few weeks. Our high school kids have almost all been affected. I am confident that the girls will give their all. We can’t do anything about how other teams are feeling”, said Bartley on the teams confidence heading into the state meet.
The girls team had four girls finish in the top-20; Lowman, Gracie Barron, Macyn Cash, and Meredith Minter. Barron and Cash finished sixth and seventh overall.
The Floyd County Buffaloes held off the Mountaineers in points overall, 41-48.
Ahead of tomorrow’s state meet, the Mountaineers girls team are ranked second overall, while the Buffaloes head into the meet as number one overall.
“We match up very well with Floyd (County). We have to win the individual battles between girls to beat them. We have beaten each other this season. I know this isn’t exciting, but it will depend on who shows up less affected by illness”, said Bartley on what would it take for the girls to win states.
For the boys cross country team, despite a PR day from Kellen Lowman, the boys team fell 19-points shy of third place and a trip the state meet.
Lowman finished with a PR time of 17:39.85.
Along with Lowman, the Mountaineers boys team had four place in the top-30; Maddox Wickline, Brennon Mahon, and Josh Anglin.
The boys finished fifth overall at regionals, while the Buffaloes also won in the boys meet.
“For the boys, we had two seniors and 10 underclassmen. We have talent coming up and a group of boys that work well together. We are looking to find the talent that is hiding in the city. They haven’t had the opportunity for cross country in 3-4 years”, said Bartley on what’s net for the XC boys team.
Meanwhile, Lowman, Barron (20:17), and Cash (20:19), were named to the all-regional team.
The XC state meet is back at Green Hill Park tomorrow in Salem.
