James Kenan’s Jack Jaimes competed in the NC High School Athletic Association Class 2A east regional Saturday at the Lenoir County Fairgrounds in Kinston. (Contributed photo)
North Duplin fared well in the NC High School Athletic Association Class 1A mideast regional and had several runners qualify for the state championship meet. (Contributed photo)
Southern Wayne’s boys’ cross country team competed in the NC High School Athletic Association Class 3A east regional Saturday at Jacksonville. (Contributed photo)
LOUISBURG — North Duplin senior Luis Avilez-Gonzalez is returning to the NC High School Athletic Association Class 1A state cross country championships.
He’s taking teammates with him — the sophomore tandem of Jair Quintana.
Just one of five seniors to place among the 18, Avilez-Gonzalez captured fourth place in 18 minutes, 49 seconds on the 5k course at VE & Lydia H. Owens Rec Park.
Quintana wound up 10th in 19:29, while Jersson Lopez placed 19th overall in 20:11 during the mideast 1A regional. Fellow sophomore Lucas Gregory finished in 24:59 and senior Sam Carr crossed the line in 26:58.
The Rebels took eighth in the team standings.
Triangle Math & Science Academy junior Nishant Stevens won the individual regional crown in 18:12. Eno River Academy successfully defended its team championship.
North Duplin’s Gabriella Zamudio logged a 45th-place time of 27:55. Abby Rose (28:58) and Madeline Kimes (29:16) crossed the finish line 57th and 59th, respectively.
Roselin Orozco (30:31) ended up 60th. Kaydynce Locklear (31:57) wound up 72nd, followed by Jazmine Manzanares (31:58). Sasha Arguijo ran the course in 33:29.
The Rebels placed eighth as a team.
Saints’ Brewer shines
JACKSONVILLE — Southern Wayne’s Gage Brewer punched his ticket to the NC High School Athletic Association Class 3A cross country championships Saturday.
Brewer wound up 23rd in the highly-competitive east regional contested at Jacksonville High School. He crossed the line in 17:22.7.
Manesse Redmor (19:06.47) ended up 62nd. Carlos Martinez (21:47.02), Ricki Lopez (22:10.19) and Egan Hine (23:19.37) also competed for the Saints.
SW finished 18th as a team.
Tigers’ Jaimes competes
KINSTON — James Kenan’s Jack Jaimes finished 32nd overall during the NC High School Athletic Association 2A east regional contested at Lenoir County Fairgrounds.
Jaimes completed the 3.12-mile course in 19:46.52.
He took 11th overall in the season-ending East Central 2A championship meet with a time of 19:49.48.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
