The Shadow
More than 3,000 athletes laced up their running shoes to participate in the 19th Annual Knights Crossing Meet, an impressive turnout that broke the record for the number of runners who participated in years past. Among the competitors, the Alleghany Cougars stood out with 22 runners, demonstrating their commitment to the sport.
In the “Girls Black” category, six athletes participated and shone, clinching the victory. They were made up of defending state champion Kiera Lowman, Neveah Wills, Faith Barron, Macyn Cash, Hannah Hipes, and Maggie Hensley. Lowman sprinted her way into first place with an impressive time of 18:12. All these ladies’ outstanding performance underscored the team’s prowess and dedication, further solidifying their reputation in the regional cross-country circuit.
There were also three Lady Cougars running in the “Girls White” category: Joowon Chung, Taylor Jenkins, and Haley Harmon. These three made AHS proud running alongside 163 other cross-country athletes.
In the “Boys Black” category, there were nine competitors consisting of Maddox Wickline, Josh Anglin, Miles Christian, Evan Bishop, Trevor Jonas, Rilee Webb, Nick Powell, Nolan Nicely, and Zeke Downey. All of these runners had incredible times and ran against 250 other student athletes.
Finally, there were four Alleghany High School boys who competed in the “Boys White” category: Brady Prior, James Ross, Jackson Westfall, and Ryan Tucker. They were among 271 runners who ran on Saturday, September 9th in Salem.
The Knights Crossing Meet drew a diverse array of runners from various schools and served as a testament to the thriving culture of cross country running, fostering camaraderie among athletes while promoting healthy competition.
The Alleghany Cougars’ success at the meet is a significant milestone, not just for the team, but also for the school since the recent consolidation. These athletes, like so many at Alleghany High School, have proven their sportsmanship and ability to work together, even when others were unsure if the athletes could get along. However, they have proven their commitment to fostering athletic excellence, even under the pressure and concern from the community.
Now, when the 20th annual meet approaches, all eyes will be on the Cougars, with expectations high for another stellar performance. Undoubtedly, we will see a repeat performance of not only cross-country greatness, but incredible sportsmanship and camaraderie as well.
