The William Byrd cross country team got a look at the Region 4D cross country course when they ran in the “Cougar Clash” in Dublin Saturday. The course, at Randolph Park, will be the site of the regional race.
“We had a really tough week of practice and our legs showed it on the backside of the races,” said Byrd coach Eric Royal. “We had a timed 4 mile run earlier in the week and a hill workout on Thursday. I told them I wanted their legs to be tired for this race, so on November 1st when we run(in the regional) they will feel great and ready to go.”
The Pulaski County boys and Blacksburg girls were team winners in the varsity division. The Byrd girls were sixth and the boys were seventh.
On the girls side Erin Wienke lead the way with a top 15 finish, earning a medal. She was closely followed by Kayland Bond, Julia Burek, Brooke Blankenship and Evie Laherty, scoring for the first time this year.
“Julia is having a great season, and Evie has been putting in the work and is closing in on the top four,” said Royal.
For the boys, Cam Dalton ran to a PR of 18:01.10 and a 15th place finish, also earning a medal. Ashton Ashley was next, followed by Luke Johnston, Greyson Cornett and Jayden Glass.
“The highlight for me was Ryan Krawczyk, who ran varsity for the first time this year,” said Royal. “He’s progressed very nicely this year as a first year runner. He’s listening at practice and applying it and it is starting to show.
“Kollin Slusher was right on his heels and they raced to the finish only .80 behind. I love seeing these young guys step up and push each other. They are just two of a really nice group of underclassmen who will be making a big impact on the team.”
This Saturday the Terriers will run at Radford.
