The Logan County Cougars have had a long string of “firsts” over the past several years and this year has been no exception. Earlier in the year the boys won the Raider Invitational at Warren East and this past Saturday the guys stepped up after 20 years of trying, and won their own Cougar Invitational! It was another memorable moment as this old coach watched these kids pull together for another great win.
The Cougars were led by one of the best runners in the state, Sye Head. “Our kids are learning to group together and pull each other along when they need each other the most,” said Coach Greg Howard. “We are solid all the way through our eight and nine runners. We continue to grow and set our sights high.”
Finishing 10th was Colton Spencer (18:27.20), 11th Levi Crossley (18:29.70), 13th Noah Thomas (18:36.80), 14th Kaleb O' Dell (18:39.90) 20th Cory Ford (18:58.10) 21st Austin Rouse (19:06.10), 35th Kelly Eicher (20:07.10), 36th Blake Vanderpool (20:08.20), 52nd Clint Baker (21:08.20) and 64th Matthew Adair (22:02.90).
It wasn’t easy for the Cougars as they were facing a top rated AAA school in Bowling Green, and a team (Clarksville Rossview) that defeated the Cougars just last week in Nashville. The Cougars placed 1st with a total of 49. Bowling Green totaled 57 and Rossview 92.
The Lady Cougars improved their times while running at home in front of a friendly crowd of parents, grandparents, and friends.
The Lady Cougars were led by Jacqueline Belcher in 45th (27:45.30), 46th Addie Baldwin (27:48.50), 59th Jasmine Martin (28:39.30), and Miranda Cole 60th (29:10.30). The Lady Cougars did not score as a team because they only had four runners in the race and it takes five runners to score as a team.
The Cross Country teams also ran in the Girls Middle School race as Sarah Richey placed 31st (17:47.30). The Boys Middle School is the future of our program and the young runners keep upholding the proud tradition as they placed second behind a very tough Daviess County team. The young Cougars were led a by Thomas Lyne’s 3rd place finish (11:08.90), Dean Heltsley 8th (11:48.00), Riley Wharton 12th (12:12.50), JT Cobb 16th (12:39.90), and Gage Cousineau 17th (12:49.20). Another fine runner, Price Violette, competed in the Boys Elementary race, placing 15th in 9:48.60.
Howard says, “We would like to thank all parents and volunteers, especially Mike Thomas and Brian Ford for being so diligent in getting the course in super shape and ready to run. A special ‘Thanks’ to Sgt. Major Brockman and the JROTC for an outstanding presentation of the colors and the marvelous job of duty as our course marshals! Thank you everyone for making the Cougar Run an overwhelming success!”
“Also coming out and supporting the teams were Principal Casey Jaynes, Athletic Director Hugh McReynolds, Bonnie Hartley, Coach Dain Gregory, Coach Michael Crawford, and many former runners, including Evan Harris, Crystin Faenza, Shaun Taylor, and Justin Groves. It was great that so many fans came out to support our teams and they were rewarded by watching great kids do great things,” Coach Howard notes.
Logan County will be hosting two other meets in the near future and Howard asks that more fans come out and cheer these athletes on. They will host the Western Kentucky Meet of Champions on Saturday, Oct. 27, and the Region I AA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 3.