Daniel Boone Boys Win Bristol Cross; Christiansburg’s Reed Shines
UPDATE: The Daniel Boone boys’ cross country team has triumphed at the Bristol Cross held at Steele Creek Park on October 7, 2023, claiming victory with a score of 71 points. This success comes amidst fierce competition, solidifying their reputation in the sport.
Senior runner Fisher Battel, who finished fourth individually with a time of 16:17.3, expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “Any chance we get to win or show what we are as a group, that makes me happier than winning the race.” Battel emphasized the team’s hard work in the lead-up to this crucial event.
Head Coach James Garst praised the depth of his team, noting the exceptional field at the event, which attracted competitors from as far away as Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. “This is probably one of the better fields I have ever seen here,” Garst remarked. “It speaks volumes of our team’s depth.”
In the girls’ competition, Sadie Honeycutt led the Daniel Boone team to a third-place finish with a time of 20:15.5, as Mariah Reed from Christiansburg secured first place in 19:23.4. Reed, a sophomore, has now won four high school events, showcasing her dedication by studying the course prior to the race. “I was really studying it… making sure I had a mental plan,” she shared.
The team scores for the girls’ competition were tight, with Christiansburg winning the title with 51 points, followed by Dobyns-Bennett at 103 points and Daniel Boone at 112 points.
Freshman Seth Marciante celebrated his 14th birthday by finishing 12th in the boys’ race with a time of 17:01.2, contributing to Daniel Boone’s win. Battel praised him, stating, “He is crushing workouts… he runs so well.”
The boys’ individual race was led by Max Craig from Christiansburg, who clocked an impressive 16:05.7, followed by Keyston Hartford from Grundy and Calvin Wilbon from Eastern Montgomery.
Looking ahead, Coach Garst indicated that the team’s focus remains on upcoming competitions, including the Trailblazer Classic in Gray on October 11, and the conference meet at Steele Creek later in the month. “These are the big meets you want to do well at,” he said, highlighting the importance of performance in preparation for the state meet in Memphis.
Battel concluded, “When our efforts don’t go in vain and we win stuff like this, that is whenever you get to be really proud.” Expect the Daniel Boone Trailblazers to maintain their momentum as they prepare for the championship season ahead.
