Catholic sweeps at picturesque Norris Dam Invitational
By Steve Williams
One of the biggest turnouts of cross country runners this season competed in the Norris Dam Invitational meet Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Norris Dam State Park in Lake City.
“The Cherokee Classic is our biggest meet with nearly 50 schools competing, but our next three meets in size (The Mounds #1 in Oak Ridge, the Norris Dam Invitational and the East Tennessee Classic) all have over 30 schools involved,” said Don Madgett of the Metro Knoxville Cross Country Association.
“That is deceptive though. We had to limit entry to Norris this year to association members only because the course and parking were bursting at the seams. It would easily draw over 40 schools if we left entry open.
“The course does not cross the dam,” noted Madgett, who also is the South-Doyle boys’ and girls’ head coach in cross country. “It runs at the base of the dam along the Clinch River, utilizing parts of the Songbird Trail.
“It is picturesque with Norris Dam as a backdrop and the course is flat and fast,” added Madgett. “The Anderson County coaches do a great job directing the meet. It also comes at a good time in the season.”
Knoxville Catholic’s boys and girls teams swept top honors in the team scoring, while individual awards went to senior runners from Anderson County – Oak Ridge’s Mason Greenhalgh and Anderson County High School’s Ava Moody.
The Fighting Irish had five boys to place in the top nine spots for a 38-point victory margin over Hardin Valley, while the Lady Irish squeezed by the HVA girls, 39 to 40.
Greenhalgh covered the 5,000-meter course in 15:44.24, with Catholic junior Cade Duncanson taking second place in 15:49.74. Others in the Top 15 in order were Evan Van De Griff of Catholic, Nicholas Burke of West, Reid Bannister of Catholic, Aiden Rufi of HVA, Radek Molchan of Catholic, Rhett Hovater of Oak Ridge, Owen Bannister of Catholic, Sam Shagan of Farragut, Parson Campen of Central, Stephen Bell of HVA, Isaac Socha of HVA, Zachary Jenkins of Halls and Barrett Lemons of Central.
Moody’s winning time was 18:03.58, followed by Hardin Valley junior Alexandra Vesser, who posted an 18:26.08. Others in the Top 15 (in order) were Rachel Benson of HVA, Kacey Holliday of Catholic, Sophie Lee of Grace Christian, Drew Gerken of Catholic, Caitlin Daniels of Catholic, Dylan Job of Oak Ridge, Ava Woodyatt of HVA, Tallulah Worley of the Knoxville Lady Ambassadors, Julia Joyce of Catholic, Zarah Enbom of HVA, Macie Gaines of West, Amaijah Bishop of Oak Ridge and Linley Lawhorn of Catholic.
Rounding out the Top 10 in the boys’ team scoring were Oak Ridge 165, Alcoa 172, West 207, the Knoxville Ambassadors 220, William Blount 231, Anderson County 234, L&N STEM Academy 267 and Webb 296. Completing the Top 10 scoring for the girls’ teams were Oak Ridge 85, Anderson County 143, West 157, Knoxville Lady Ambassadors 158, Alcoa 176, Webb 222, Bearden 269 and Clayton-Bradley Academy 298.
The boys’ field included 217 runners and the girls’ field 154.
UP NEXT: The MKXC Cove Lake Invitational on Oct. 2 at Caryville.
