Fourth-year Spring Creek head coach Ian Combest, background, talks with his runners during the NC High School Athletic Association Class 2A east regional Saturday at Lenoir County Fairgrounds in Kinston. (Contributed photo)

Fourth-year Spring Creek head coach Ian Combest, background, talks with his runners during the NC High School Athletic Association Class 2A east regional Saturday at Lenoir County Fairgrounds in Kinston. (Contributed photo)

KINSTON — Losing 19 runners off two talent-ladened Spring Creek cross country teams left Ian Combest wondering what challenge he faced for the 2024 season.

He rebuilt with lightning speed, instead.

New faces absorbed his enthusiasm for running and they steadily improved each meet throughout the summer and fall.

The reward Combest awaited finally occurred Saturday morning at the Lenoir County Fairgrounds. Spring Creek’s boys are headed to the NC High School Athletic Association Class 2A state championship meet for the first time in school history.

“Both the men’s and women’s teams went into regionals with three goals,” Combest said. “In order they were set personal records [primary], maintain the team rank from the previous year [secondary] and win their way to states by placing in the top four teams [tertiary].

“Four boys and three girls achieved the primary goal with all other runners staying close to their normal speeds, dealing with sickness and muscle cramps and strong beat. The girls’ team achieved our secondary goal, maintaining sixth overall against far-stronger quality of runners at the competing schools.”

Led by Caleb Loftin, the Gators finished fourth as a team. The junior ran the 5k trek in 18 minutes, 57.65 seconds – his second-best time of the season.

Teammate Ja’Shaun Strong (19:22.32) wound up 28th. Adonnis Hackett (20:28.18), Joshua Lewis (20:29.39) and Carter McClellan (20:43.98) each finished among the top 38.

William Lopez (23:07.94) and John Gonzalez (23:56.49) each turned in solid performances.

Manteo senior Samuel Head emerged as the regional champion in 16:23.46. He helped the Redskins edge South Lenoir 47-56 for the team crown.

On the girls’ side, Vanessa Flores-Ramirez was the Gators’ top finisher. Senior Maria Melchor ended up 40th. She was followed to the line by Melissa Avila, Collette Crespo, Angela Soto, Maryjane Aguilar-Valenzuela and Camryn Eubanks.

Manteo junior Meredith Gaskill covered the 3.12-mile course in a regional-winning time of 20:03.33. Camden County slipped past Manteo, 41-43, in the final team standings.

“I am still fairly new to coaching with this being my fourth year and I am endlessly proud of what these students have done, how much effort my runners have given,” Combest said. “The outstanding effort, patience, grit, camaraderie and intelligence of our runners has turned our boys into successful [conference] champions in four years.

“[And] has placed our girls’ team within one to two seasons of the same success. Our men have made history, and both of our men’s and women’s teams have built foundations for future success.”

You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.