The Cross Country teams claimed the conference title Tuesday, October 18^th at Ivey Redmon Park. Both men and women brought home the 4A Championship while also taking over the All-Conference team. Ian Shanklin claimed the Conference Title and was added to the All Conference Team, along with teammates Freddie Marx, Stuart Coates, Cam Milroy Nate Gillespie, Sam Farrell, Jason Willett, Gabriel Warwar, Ahmed Sinada, Rebecca Hunt, Caroline Bozovich, Haley Schwietzer, Ellie Verchick, Remi Short, and Jillian Heard. Coach Blue expects Shanklin to go to States as an individual, as well as Freddie Marx. Along with the continued dominance by Page in Cross Country, Coach Blue was awarded with the Legnetti Award for Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year. Blue is “very grateful for the hardworking, dedicated, (and sometimes goofy) athletes.” She also gave credit to her father, David Blue, the assistant coach, as well as all the helpful parents.

The team’s next meet is the NCHSAA 4A Midwest Regional Meet on Saturday, October 29^th, where the Pirates look to claim the Regional title. Coach Blue says that “If everyone runs within their potential I think both teams can exceed expectations, which could give the boys a shot at the top 4 and advance them as a team to States.” Going into the Regional Meet, the men are ranked 6^th, and the girls are ranked 8^th.