Runners from Hoggard and Laney continued their impressive fall season at this weekend’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A East Regional held at South View High School in Hope Mills.
Sophomore Natalie Tyner cruised to yet another individual win, completing the 5,000 meter course in 18:11.50, more than 50 seconds ahead of runner-up Janay Hall of South View. Laney had four participants finish in the top-10 en route to the team win.
Cameron Smithwick (19:51.40) took sixth, while Erin Coon (20:04.90) and Haley Smithwick (20:12.10) finished eighth and ninth, respectively. Ryleigh McIntyre (20:00.50) also qualified for the state meet with a seventh place effort from Ashley High School.
The top four teams from each of the four regional’s qualified for the state meet. Team scores are based on a school’s five best performers. Laney, New Hanover and Hoggard qualified for the 4A girls championship set to be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville.
In addition, the top five individuals not on a qualifying team advanced from each regional to the state, which includes McIntyre’s effort for the Screaming Eagles.
In the boys race, Hoggard juniors Jamie Witmer (15:55.30) and Erik Dahlgren (16:04.80) took the top two spots at regions, guiding the Vikings to a second place team finish.
Laney also punched its ticket to states in fourth-place, while senior Christopher Gomez (17:15.10) of Ashley High School earned a spot at the final meet of the season.
Click here for complete results from the boys and girls 4A East Regional meet.
