Cherokee High School played host to a cross country meet on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
Kendall Toineeta took 4th place in the high school girls race with a time of 23:21.28. That race was won by Shawanda Martin, Robbinsville, with a time of 21:36.28. She was followed by Katie Bowden, Hayesville, 22:08.38 and Hayden Bates, Highlands, 22:30.44.
Other Cherokee girls included: Lydia Lossiah, 11th, 24:19.00; Jordyn Thompson, 22nd, 26:39.47; and Alexis Maney, 33rd, 35:24.03.
Gerald Mahan took 5th place on the boys side with a time of 19:05.66 to lead the Braves. Frank Cline, Robbinsville, took 1st with a time of 17:42.69. He was followed by Zak Evans, Hayesville, 18:49.44; Regan Lindsay, Murphy, 18:50.44 and EBCI tribal member Russell Bigmeat, Swain, 19:04.09.
Other Cherokee boys included: Brock Powell, 14th, 21:08.84; Ethan Swearingen, 43rd, 25:25.53 and Gabe Crowe, 51st, 28:55.84.
The middle school boys race was won by EBCI tribal member Matthew Climbingbear, Swain, with a time of 12:15. Richard Noble, Martins Creek, took 2nd place with a time of 12:39 followed by EBCI tribal member Shane Swimmer, Swain, 12:41.
J.J. Thompson led the middle school Braves with a 33rd place finish and time of 14:44. Brennan Foerst, Cherokee, came in 62nd with a time of 19:24.
The first three places in the middle school girls race all belonged to EBCI tribal members. Aleshia Tisho, Swain, came in first with a time of 13:24. She was followed by Devonna Reed, Cherokee, 13:35 and Lynsey Hicks, Swain, 13:57.
Other Cherokee middle runners included: Ayla Cruz, 18th, 16:41.
Cherokee is set to host the Smokey Mountain Conference championship on Wednesday, Oct. 17 and the 1A West Regional meet on Saturday, Oct. 27.
“As of right now, I feel Cherokee should be well represented,” said coach Eddie Swimmer. “Everyone will have to race with heart and soul on these next few races.”
– ONE FEATHER STAFF REPORT
