Lamar High School hosted its first cross country meet in over a decade. Along the banks of Cabin Creek and along the edge of their new high school campus, Lamar made a statement with their fresh new course. Mansfield made its statement as well.
Between a pair of runner-up team trophies and an individual medalist honor, Mansfield runners found success. The Cabin Creek run was a good run for the Tigers.
Mansfield loaded up most of their primary runners for the September 28 show. A few of the usual cast members were left home due to illness or dual sport conflicts.
Mansfield’s Laney Wood was near her best as she sacrificed a home volleyball game to go run. The decision paid off as the up and coming freshman won the small school division for an individual.
“This was Laney’s second win out of five meets,” said Mansfield mentor John Mackey. “The other three races she got second place. You can tell she is putting in the time after hours.”
Mansfield junior boys also earned bragging rights. Behind eighth grader Joey Fildes, the Tiger team scoring moved into second place against nine other small school units.
“Joey has been pushing his limits,” said Mackey. “It’s just a matter of time before he breaks free of the pack and gets that individual win. Right now, he and his teammates are really jellying as a unit. The majority of the group are eighth graders, and they are pushing each other for high places.”
The MJH boys scored 73 points placing them just below Maumelle Charter School’s 54. Fildes offered up a team best third place in the scoring. Quitman followed in third at 84 points.
Gunner Williams, Jonah Martin, Rylan Nichols, and Braxton Bartlett joined Fildes as the scoring five for the Tigers. Joseph Carter and Holden Powers were the team displacers.
Mansfield senior girls also brought home the second place plaque. The combination of Darby Jones, Faith Rainwater, McKenzie Griffin, Katlynn Moore, and Hope Rainwater completed the Lady Tiger tally.
Jones led the way as she has done throughout the 2021 season. Her third place finish as a small school competitor was sixth overall.
Mansfield only fell to defending class 2A state champion Quitman.
“Our times in the senior high division were misleading,” noted the coach. “According to the girls’ GPS smart watches the new course was a bit long. The course read out to be closer to 3.47 instead of 3.1 miles.”
Jones cranked out a 23:58.4 for the group’s fastest timing.
