SANFORD — The Richmond Senior High School cross country teams’ efforts paid off last Thursday in their third meet of the season.
After placing second in both prior races, the Raiders and Lady Raiders respectively earned first place as a team. Almost all of Richmond’s runners set season-best times.
The 3.2-mile race was held at Lee County High School, with Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents Lee County and Scotland also competing.
Lee County did not have enough runners to qualify for team points in both races, and Scotland only had one male runner compete.
Richmond’s boys’ team recorded 15 total points in the win. Sophomore Javian Drake took second overall behind Cooper Sutherland (Scotland, 18:20) with a time of 21:13.
Behind him collecting points were teammates Zion Baldwin (4th, 21:47), Christian Sanchez (5th, 22:04), Kodie Simmons (6th, 24:33) and Cain Hunsucker (7th, 25:28).
Finishing just outside the points window were Toby McInnis (8th, 25:29) and Adam Estridge (10th, 28:58).
Setting new personal records this season were Baldwin, Drake, Estridge, McInnis and Sanchez.
The Lady Raiders’ race was more competitive, having to defeat rival Scotland based on finishing times. Richmond’s girls’ team collected 27 points to beat the Lady Scots, who scored 29 points.
Senior Maylyn Wallace returned to the team and finished second overall behind Lee County’s Chloe Edwards (23:07) with a mark of 23:30. That was Wallace’s best time in an SAC race this season, but not her career PR (22:08).
Helping the Lady Raiders to the win were Mariana Mendez (5th, 25:22), Kaleigh Cloninger (7th, 26:11), Alivia Webb (8th, 27:04) and Ella Munn (10th, 27:58).
Teammate Michala Nechvilova didn’t qualify for points, but offset two Scotland runners with a time of 28:20 (11th place).
Carson Buie led Scotland in third place (23:30), with teammates placing in 4th, 6th, 9th, 12th and 14th place.
Taking time off their previous races this fall to have new season-lows were Cloninger, Mendez, Munn and Webb.
The Richmond cross country teams will return to the course on Wednesday, running against Southern Lee and Pinecrest. The race will start at 5 p.m.
