Spring Creek’s Carter McClelland finished fifth overall and helped the Gators compile a perfect score of 15 points during their Neuse Six 2A cross country meet contested at Princeton High School. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
PRINCETON — Reigning Neuse Six 2A cross country boys’ champion Spring Creek turned in a perfect outing Wednesday afternoon at Princeton High School.
The Gators, led by Caleb Loftin, took the top five spots during a multi-team meet contest at the Fred Bartholomew Sports Complex. Loftin toured the 5k (3.12-mile) course in 20 minutes, 7 seconds.
Ja’Shaun Strong crossed the line second in 22:28. Adonis Hackett (22:44) wound up third. Joshua Lewis (22:56) and Carter McClelland (24:08) rounded out the top five.
SC scored 15 points.
On the girls’ side, Maria Melchor recorded a third-place effort of 26:32. She finished behind meet winner Yaritza Delgado of Goldsboro (24:49) and a Princeton runner.
The Cougars edged the Gators, 30-47, in team scoring.
“Our team is improving in a systematic fashion,” said SC head coach Ian Best. “Every runner is getting stronger, confident and most importantly, they are getting smarter. They are all getting exceptionally better at starting strong with less or even no burnout.
“[They’re] getting better at staying steady without being cautiously slow. And every one of them are fighting to the finish line.”
Spring Creek returns to action next Wednesday at the Bryan Multi-Sports Complex in Goldsboro.
Saints’ Brewer captures first
GOLDSBORO — Southern Wayne’s Gage Brewer emerged victorious during a Quad County 3A boys’ cross country meet ran Wednesday afternoon at the Bryan Multi-Sports Complex.
Brewer finished the 5k (3.12-mile) course in 18 minutes, 31 seconds. Hunt’s Mason Gesell (19:02) placed second, while West Johnston’s Warner Clark (19:05) claimed third.
The Saints’ Manesse Redmor ended up eighth in 20:15. Teammate Carlos Martinez completed the trek in 23:14, while Egan Hine logged a time of 24:16.
Ricki Lopez crossed the line two seconds behind Hine.
“Both young men [Brewer and Redmor] work hard and push their teammates as well,” said first-year SW head coach Brian West. “The entire cross country team works hard daily and I’m proud to coach this unit of young men.”
Southern Wayne, team winner Wilson Hunt and West Johnston each had two or more competitors wind up among the top 10.
SW boots Trojans
DUDLEY — Six Southern Wayne players got into the scoring act during a 3-1 triumph Wednesday evening over Quad County 3A foe South Johnston.
Miguel Montalvo, Alex Trejo and Jesus Castillo supplied one goal apiece for the Saints, who earned their fourth consecutive victory over the Trojans.
Richard Gabriel, Jerri Gonzales and Ivan Alvarado each logged an assist in the scorebook.
“The boys played organized and went back into controlling the game, using our back line to create opportunities, as well as having some of the guys coming off the bench to add a spark, too, when it was needed the most,” said SW head coach Luis Ramirez.
Southern Wayne improved to 7-1 all-time against South Johnston since 2013. The Saints (4-6-0 overall, 2-0-0 QCC) continues conference play next Monday at Smithfield-Selma.
Rebels, Leopards tie
CALYPSO — North Duplin notched a first-half goal and battled Lakewood to a 1-1, double-overtime draw in their Carolina 1A boys’ soccer contest Wednesday evening.
Additional details were not submitted.
The Rebels (0-1-1 overall, 0-1-1 Carolina 1A) travel to Union next Monday. Kickoff is 6 p.m. in Roseboro.
Saints fall to Spartans
SMITHFIELD — Charity Van Dyke earned Southern Wayne’s lone point in an 8-1 loss against Smithfield-Selma on the Quad County 3A girls’ tennis scene Wednesday afternoon.
Van Dyke bounced back from a second-set loss to defeat the Spartans’ Lillian Mizner 7-5, 2-6, 1-0 (4) at No. 2 singles. Saints head coach David Van Dyke selected the junior as the player-of-the-match.
Southern Wayne (1-10 overall, 1-9 QCC) travels to West Johnston today, and returns home Monday for senior day against traditional powerhouse Wilson Fike.
Smithfield-Selma 8, Southern Wayne 1
Singles: No. 1 — Any Richardson (SSS) d. Kylie Hyde (SW), 6-2, 6-1; No. 2 — Charity Van Dyke (SW) d. Lillian Mizner (SSS), 7-5, 2-6, 1-0 (4); No. 3 — Summer Vaughn (SSS) d. Yeimi Sánchez Martinez (SW), 6-0, 6-1; No. 4 — Esli Chirinos (SSS) d. Ameya Randolph (SJ), 6-1, 6-0; No. 5 — Mckenzie Davis (SSS) d. Sabrina Leon Bohorquez (SW), 6-2, 6-2; No. 6 — Carol Caballero Avila (SSS) d. Ilsy Cabrera Carrera (SW), 6-1, 6-3.
Doubles: No. 1 — Richardson-Avila (SSS) d. Van Dyke-Martinez (SW), 8-4; No. 2 — Mizner-Chirinos (SSS) d. Hyde-Randolph (SW), 8-4; No. 3 — Vaughn-Davis (SSS) d. Bohorquez-Sanchez (SW), 8-0.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
