Spring Creek’s Joshua Lewis, left, talks with head coach Ian Combest about his time after Wednesday afternoon’s cross country meet held at the Bryan Multi-Sports Complex in Goldsboro. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
GOLDSBORO — Ian Combest gathered his Spring Creek cross country team into a shaded area Wednesday afternoon.
He discussed the team’s normal meet strategy and challenged each runner to surpass their personal records (PRs) set in previous meets this season.
Nearly an hour later, Combest got his wish — 19 of the 23 runners on his roster accomplished their goal.
“My feelings towards our runners after today is nothing short of pride,” Combest said. “All of them are running smarter and stronger, and have become a supportive and bonded team — all in just a few short weeks of hard work and study.”
As expected, Caleb Loftin continued his season-long domination. The lanky runner covered the Bryan Multi-Sports Complex course in 20 minutes, 22 seconds — nearly 90 seconds ahead of teammates Joshua Lewis and Ja’Shawn Strong.
Once Lewis and Strong crossed the finish line, each searched through a cooler for something cold to drink. But before either could break the seal on their bottles, Combest gave each a high-five.
“Well done, you two,” Combest said.
Clipboard in hand, Combest walked back to the finish line.
As the seconds passed, he watched seven Gators place among the top eight in the boys’ portion of the race. Carter McClellan (23:44) took fifth overall behind Princeton’s Jackson’s Creech.
Fellow Gators John Gonzalez (25:13), William Lopez (25:19) and Alex Hemenway (25:27) rounded out the group.
The Gators finished two points shy of their second consecutive perfect-score bid of 15 points. They defeated Princeton 17-46.
“Thus far, my boys are undefeated this season and my girls have their sights firmly set on having the winning score at conference [finals],” Combest said. “All of them are working toward pointedly to season-goal times, all while balancing a plethora of student, club and home responsibilities.”
On the girls’ side, Maria Melchor posted a second-place time of 26:09, while teammate Vanessa Flores-Ramirez ended up seventh.
Goldsboro’s Yaritza Gonzalez ran the murky, root-ladened trek with a first-place effort of 23:56. Teammate Leah Lawhorne ended up third in 26:49.
Spring Creek and their Neuse Six foes return to action Oct. 9 at picturesque Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
“My kids will get to showcase the skill and strength they’ve built from running on trails all summer long,” Combest said.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
