Dominant in the top spots, Farragut boys, HVA girls Region 2-AAA No. 1
KNOXVILLE — Once again finishing on top at the Region 2-AAA boys cross-country level, two-time defending Division 1-AAA state champ Farragut (boys and girls photo, right) placed six of the top 15 — including champ Evan Beeler (16:01.49 on the 3-mile course) and runner-up Tanner Coggin (16:04.90), both seniors — to capture first place with 37 points at the Victor Ashe Park course Wednesday morning, Oct. 30.
Beeler, who won despite taking a wrong turn that cost him “about 3 seconds, said he “had a huge panic there for a second.”
Led by a pair of sophomores finishing first and second, the HVA Lady Hawks (photo below with HVA boys) reversed the script, winning the 2-AAA meet with 23 points versus runner-up FHS with 68. Both teams advance to the state meet Friday, Nov. 8, at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville. Bearden was fourth with 95.
Boys 2-AAA leaders
Rival Hardin Valley Academy was a real close second, 41 points, placing five of the top 15 finishers led by senior Josh Hunt in third-place (16:05.82) and senior Gabe Allen earning fourth (16:12.34). Both Farragut and HVA advance to this week’s state meet.
Other top 15 Admirals were senior Ross Tootie placing ninth (16:54.42), junior Sam Shagan 12th, senior Jase Morton 13th and sophomore Andrew Cabaniss 14th.
Other top 15 Hawks were junior Cooper McKaig taking eighth (16:53.84), senior Sean Brown 11th and sophomore Aiden Rufi 15th.
Girls 2-AAA leaders
HVA’s Alexandra Vesser smoked the field by running 18:57.80 on the 3-mile course to become champ, followed by teammate Ana Berkheimer’s 20:21.90 showing in second.
Despite her dominance, “This is my first one,” Vesser said about her career first-place finishes.
Farragut’s three in the top 15 were led by sophomore Zoi LeCours placing third (20:27.73), followed by senior Kenzie Lefler in 11th-place and senior Lydia McFall finishing 15th for the Lady Ads.
Four other Lady Hawks placed in the top 15: junior Rachel Benson was fifth (20:37.46), sophomore Ana Sofia Marquez sixth (20:40.95), senior Stuart Ann Leath ninth (20:48.93) and sophomore Ava Woodyatt 13th.
Bearden was led by junior Brielle Picket’s eighth-place finish (20:48.53) and senior Haley Jordan’s 10th-place showing (20:56.69). Both are state qualifiers.
