By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Both the Northside boys and girls cross country teams turned in a big performances on Saturday at Manteo High School at the NCHSAA 1-A East Regional meet, as they both placed third. The third place finish allows both teams to compete in the state competition on Nov. 1.
Topsail took first in the girls’ meet with 18 points, while Manteo (52) and Northside (52) followed respectively.
Topsail’s Zatha Loewen won the event with a time of 20:15.
Elizabeth Harris led the way for the Panthers, as she turned in a time of 22:26. Harris placed seventh, which also put her on the All-East team.
Ashley Clayton ran a 22:58 and finished in 12th place, and was followed by Katie Bowen (24:21, 17th), Ashley Ratcliffe (25:52, 24th), Jena Payne (26:48), Callie Leigh (28:02, 30th) and Orianna Phillips (28:08, 31st).
Southside also got a good effort from its runners as Kayla Peed ran a 30:25 to finish 60th, while Kaitlyn duck trailed her with a time of 34:28 (61st).
In the boys competition, the Seahawks’ Chuck Guard placed 26th with a time of 20:25, and was followed by Chris Leaver (24:13, 46th) and Mathew Windley (27:19, 55th).
Williamston’s Stephen Silverthorne was the area’s top boys runner as he placed third with a time 18:16. Silverthorne will be joined at state with fellow teammate Bruce Hutchinson (19:25).
As a team, Lejune placed first (51 points), and was trailed by (Topsail 57 points) and Northside (67 points).
Lejune’s Evan Jackson won the boys meet with a time of 17:56.
Northside placed two runners in the top seven, as James Cadle (18:43) and Bryan Fletcher (18:51) placed sixth and seventh respectively, placing them on the All-East team.
Northside’s Alex Cutler just missed the cut for the All-East team, as he placed ninth with a time of (18:55).
Following Cutler for the Panthers were Jonathan Dupree (20:16, 25th), Kyle Shepherd (20:20, 27th), Doug Wagg (21:15, 35th) and Shay Brickhouse (21:52, 39th.
Bear Grass’ Foster Peaks also made the All-East team, as he placed fourth with a time of 18:25.
In the NCHSAA 3-A meet held at Boy Lee Park in Greenville, Washington placed 18th in the boys’ event. Nash Central was the winner.
Leading the way for Washington was Dylan Mizelle (46th, 18:59), Corey Waters (104th, 21:39), Boris Jenkovic (106th, 21:47), Chris Moore (120th, 22:52), Will Lurvey (124th, 23:30) and Matt Recko (126, 24:29)
West Carteret won the girls’ competition. Casey Lewis paced the Pam Pack with a time of 24:18 (53rd), and was trailed by Shelby Nall (73rd, 25:46), Sarah Hager (82nd, 26:59) and Brandi Hardison (92nd, 28:57).