The Logan County Cross Country teams competed intheir first meets of 2023 atthe Christian County Season Opener in Hopkinsville last weekend. Over 30 teams competed, including several from their new region. It was a very competitive meetthis early in the campaign, andthe Cougars responded with several strong efforts, says Coach Frank Boone.

The Girls varsity squad started off the day with a bang, as a trio of Lady Cougars placed inthe top twenty. Junior Addison Connelly (11^th with a personal best 24:20) and seniors Hailey Burgess (15^th, 24:45) and Keirsten ‘KK’ Harper (16^th, 24:50) formed a solid pack that led the way over the 3.1-mile (5 kilometer) course.

Senior Lexus McMurray (48^th, 30:26) crushed her personal best by over 3 minutes, and senior Neoma Masterman (59^th, 33:23) rounded out the team scoring. Also placing was freshman Katelyn Haas (60^th, 34:02).the Lady Cougars scored 119 points, placing 5^th overall and only 30 points behind region foes Webster County and Hopkinsville.

“Great start tothe season for the ladies!” Coach Boone says.

The Boys varsity faced some stiff competition themselves and ran well. Junior Landon Crocker (52^nd, 21:14) beat his previous personal best by 1 second to lead the Cougars. Sophomore twins Wyatt (68^th 22:12) and Garrett (69^th, 22:19) Lawson were only one minute behind Crocker. Freshmen Trapper McCarley (87^th, 23:56 in his first race ever) and Gabe Masterman (119^th, 27:48 in his first varsity race) completed the scoring for the Cougars. They beat Hopkins County Central, one of the teams in their new region, by 30 points.

The Middle School runners, competing at the shorter 3-kilometer distance (1.8 miles), had some outstanding results as well. The three boys were all running their first cross-country races and are still learning.

Eighth grader Jack Blanton (Auburn) led the way with a sterling performance. He finished sixth with a time of 10:26, only 30 seconds behind the winner. Olmstead 7^th grader Corbin Ruuska (132^nd, 16:17), and Lewisburg 7ty  grader Jackson Brown (146^th, 18:10) absolutely crushed their personal bests set in time trials at practice that week.

On the girl’s side, Auburn 7^th grader Faith Higgins (34th , 13:56) and Chandlers 7^th  grader Julia Anderson (67^th, 16:51) ran well, especially closing on other runners the last ½ mile of the race.

Logan County also had five elementary runners compete. Auburn 4^th grader Bella Burgess lit it up, as she ran the 1-mile course in 8:02, placing her eighth among the girls. 4^th grader Delaney Switzer from Adairville was not far behind her teammate (17^th , 8:54) and had a strong finish, flying past five runners in the last 50 meters to get in the top 20. On the boys side, Auburn 4^th grader Abel Connelly finished 4^th in 6:51 with a spectacular closing kick to protect his top five placing. Fellow Auburn classmates Tyler Coots (5th grade,15^th, 7:21) and Shelby ‘SJ’ Hughes (5^th grade, 34^th, 8:06) gutted out strong finishes in a loaded elementary division.