Contributed Reports
Not only is winning the meet becoming a habit for the Washington Girl’s Cross-Country, but they also share the honors. Anna McLawhorn became the third Pam Pack girl to win a meet this year, running the 3.1 mile course in 24:20, joining Sarah Jennings and Alana Jefferson as the Pack’s individual winners.
McLawhorn was not alone at the front of the race; Jennings placed second running a personal best of 24:26, with Callie Landen, 26:12, took fourth.
The Washington girls beat Farmville Central and South West Edgecombe by score of 22 to 37 to 82. Marisa Gerrard, Alyssa Krajewski, and Quanitra Boomer all placed in the top 10 for the Pack.
The boys raced Farmville last week and won by three points, this week it was not as close. Victor Santos won the boys race in 19:25 and Devon Van Cura placed second, 20:00, to lead the Pam Pack boys to a 22-33 victory over Farmville Central.  Win Martin, Messiah Barnes and Leland place fourth, sixth, and ninth, respectively, to round out the boys’ scores.
“We had a couple of our top runners out today,” said Pam Pack coach Toby McMahon. “And with how close the boys were last time, I told them to stay together focus on pushing the pace and staying ahead of Farmville.  If they let Farmville get five runners in a row they would probably win.”
The season has been one of the most successful in recent memory for the Pack. The boys placed fourth at the Pam Pack Invitational over the weekend and the girls placed fifth.  There were 17 teams and over 300 hundred runners from Rocky Mount to the Outer Banks. Schools ranged in size from 4A J.H. Rose, to independent private 1A schools.  Most of the top five teams went to state last year and are looking to make a return trip this year.
Santos took fifth for the boys and Jefferson took eighth for the girls. It was the first time both a Pam Pack boy and girl medaled at the same Invitational.  McMahon said he was pleased with the effort the team is making this year.
“In years past we have barely field a team.  Now we have enough runners that if someone is not running well one day, another person can fill their spot.  Only the top seven runners can qualify for the regional meet and the competition among the boys is tough,” McMahon said. “There have been 12 runners who have run in the top seven during at least one race this year.  They push each other during practice to be faster.”
It seems to be working, as both the boys and girls are making noise in their new conference. The Pack will look to continue that streak as they host Farmville Central and North Johnston next Wednesday at 4:39 for their final home meet of the season.