Coleman Midgett Season Opener

 

The girls led off bright and early (with the moon still in the sky), and Auldyn Plant went right to the front, followed by the duo of Olivia Jelsma and Ava Cason. The next duo of Latham Hall and Cléo Gauthier worked together as well, and the trio of Grace Boero, Alice Frein, and Abby Schoenecker worked together. As the hills and heat and humidity took their toll on many runners, the team moved up the field. Auldyn would ultimately finish 5th overall in her USN debut and set a school 5k record (breaking the previous school record held by Ella Steinhilber)! The team would finish 9th out of 19 teams at the meet, a fine starting point. 

 

The boys did their best to replicate the girls' races, as well. Austin Cason and Piers Mason hung near the front of the field for the bulk of the race, with Collin France, Evan Ozgener, and Eli Galentino working together a little ways behind. Lincoln Alphin ran with them early but courageously battled foot pain for the remainder of the distance. Henry Stack, running his first 5k, went out aggressively and eventually swapped positions with steady pacer Frederick Rudolph. Austin would eventually lead the way in a new PR (always a good way to start the season!) and the boys would finish 12th out of 26 teams. 

 

In the JV races, the girls had strong starts for both Rosalie Hinke and Nell Cox (in her first race since 2019), and the boys were led by Tate Keuler (fresh off the Scene Night stage), followed closely by birthday boy #1 Henry Gatto and XC runner for two days Brock Burgess, who both had impressive debuts. Cooper Wengraf-Simons gave it all he had (and then some after the race) and Jack Loss, birthday boy #2, battled severe side stitches but bravely gutted out a finish.

Full results are available here.

 

The teams are excited to be underway! They will next be in meet action in two weeks in Dickson.