El Dorado, Smackover run in Bob Gravett Invitational
ARKADELPHIA - El Dorado and Smackover opened the cross country season Saturday by competing in the Bob Gravett Invitational hosted by Ouachita Baptist University.
"As a program, we brought home three individual rewards," said El Dorado coach John Koonce. "As far back as I could research, the program has never brought home more than one medal from this meet in year's past."
Emma McGee led the Lady Wildcats with a 21:38 time, finishing 13th out of 80 runners. She just missed picking up a medal in the field that included Hot Springs Lakeside, Lake Hamilton, Cedar Ridge, Benton and DeQueen.
"This puts her two seconds off of becoming the second fastest female runner in the EHS cross country program's 20-plus year history," said Koonce. "Her goal coming into the season was to break 22 that she has met that goal so it is very encouraging in just one meet. Her best time last year was 24:30, so her huge drop in time is a testament to the work that she has put in."
Eliza Brewster finished 59th with a time of 27:30.1.
Alex Espinoza led the Wildcats in the varsity boys' race. Espinoza ran a 21:01 to place 74th in a field of 145 runners. Edwin Gonzalez ran 21:22.9 with Hunter Nutt running a 21:4.2.
"(Espinoza) actually lost his timing chip during the race and had to run backwards to pick it up when a teammate noticed it happening to him," Koonce said. "He was hoping to break 21 early on in the season, so this goal is definitely within reach."
Barton's girls finished second overall in the junior high division behind Lake Hamilton. Clarabeth Black led the way, placing ninth with a time of 11:46.8 over the 2,800-meter course. Corin Melear was 10th with a time of 12:06.7 and Carly Meadows was 11th in 12:07.1.
"It was great to see (Black) leading the pack because she was a young lady that struggled with a knee injury all season last year," said Koonce. "She looked strong and composed throughout the whole race. She picked up an individual medal for her efforts. Corin Melear also picked up a medal and Carly finished one spot from a medal."
Jaelynn Dumas and Ainsley Colvin finished 24th and 26th, respectively.
Barton finished sixth in the junior boys' competition. Zachary McMillon had the day's best performance, placing third in a field of 134 runners.
"In a meet that included four of our conference rivals, he was unbeaten by all conference athletes there," said Koonce. "He beat quite a few athletes that he couldn't come close to beating last season. We were expecting him to have a strong day, but he really exceeded what I thought he was going to do."
Jay Reep and Jake Dilworth were 36th and 37th, respectively.
Smackover's top performer was freshman Ciana Olds, who finished 53rd in the junior high girls with a time of 13:45. Megan Litton was 98th and Ryan Maroney finished 141st.
In boys' varsity, Smackover's Britt Conley was 104th with a time of 23.00.6. Evan Phillips was 114th and Gavin Maroney was 136th. In boys' junior high, Gage Fowler ran 12:37 to finish 94th with Hunter Goodwin placing in 116th place.
"Hunter Goodwin passed about four or five kids at the very end," said Smackover coach Dennis Steele. "Britt had a real good time. I'm proud of these kids."
Smackover and El Dorado will both compete at Crossett next Saturday.