SEVEN SPRINGS — Four North Duplin runners emerged among the top 10 finishers during Tuesday’s season-opening, Carolina 1A cross country meet contested at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
Senior Luis Avilez-Gonzalez ran the 5k course in 20 minutes, 25 seconds to help the Rebels finish first overall as a team with 22 points. Teammates Jerrson Lopez (20:26) and Jair Quintana (21:57) crossed the line second and fourth, respectively.
Lucas Gregory claimed eighth in 25:21, while senior Sam Carr turned in an 11th-place effort of 26:49.
The Rebels’ Miqueas Lopez Hernand completed the challenging, hilly trail in 41:52.
Gage Lewis led Rosewood with a second-place performance of 21:54. Lakewood’s Jesse Bethea rounded out the top five with a 22-minute run.
Rosewood scored 43 points, while Neuse Charter had 55.
On the girls’ side, sophomore Gabriella Zamudio (28:22.6) and Abby Rose (30:45.4) each logged a top-10 time. Teammates Cadence Locklear (32:37.6) and Madalyn Kimes (32:58) crossed the finish line 13th and 14th, respectively.
Jasmine Manzanares (34:24.9) and Sasha Arguijo (35:15.7) were 18th and 19th overall.
Hobbton won the team portion with 21 points behind the duo of Andrea Sada-Romero (2nd) and Julie Herrera (3rd).
The next Carolina 1A meet is Sept. 9 at Neuse Charter.
Duo leads Rebels
CALYPSO — Maggie Brown and Tateyawna Faison provided the offensive punch during North Duplin’s 27-25, 25-23, 25-18 triumph over Lejeune on the volleyball court Tuesday.
Brown cranked out eight kills. Faison contributed seven kills and three blocks. Abigeal Norris Brown and Eva Quintanilla posted three kills apiece.
Iala Overton, Lilly Fulghum, Abigeal Brown, Marissa Bernal and Quintanilla each served two aces.
Bernal led the defense with 25 digs. Ady Spence logged seven digs, followed by Fulghum with seven. Overton and Tristyn Blunt each registered six digs. The Rebels had 64 digs as a team.
Fulghum doled out 19 assists.
North Duplin (4-3 overall) returns home Thursday to face Spring Creek. First serve is 4:30 p.m.
SW linksters fourth
FOUR OAKS — Southern Wayne placed fourth overall during the second Quad County 3A regular-season girls’ golf match contested at Reedy Creek Golf Course on Tuesday afternoon.
Regan Stribble carded a nine-hole round of 51 for the Saints, who posted a team score of 170. Chloe Sullivan posted a 57, while Avery Jennette contributed a 63.
Jennette is the reigning mountolivetribune.com Athlete-of-the-Week sponsored by Mt. Olive Pediatrics.
Kenzi Aycock turned in a 63.
West Johnston’s Jenna Underwood earned medalist honors with a 42. Fike’s Payton Durham finished one stroke back. Teammate Kinsley Hill (45) ended up third. South Johnston’s duo of Danielle Morgan (46) and Kimsey Bagley (47) rounded out the top five.
The next QCC match is Sept. 9 at Willow Springs Country Club in Wilson. Tee time is 2 p.m.
Hunt sweeps Saints
DUDLEY — Defending Quad County 3A volleyball champion Wilson Hunt turned back pesky Southern Wayne 25-23, 25-19, 26-24 inside “The Halo” on Tuesday evening.
Statistics were not provided.
Southern Wayne (2-5 overall, 0-3 QCC) travels to Rosewood today. First serve is 4 p.m.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
