Troup runners stand tall

Published 11:50 pm Monday, October 16, 2017

By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – With freshman Natalie Figiel leading the way, a quartet of Troup runners found their way into the top 10 during Monday afternoon’s cross-country race at Lafayette Christian School.

The 3.1-mile race took the runners all across the campus, and it was a true cross-country test as the runners were confronted with hills and some rugged terrain.

Figiel had fun running on a course that put she and her fellow competitors to the test.

“I like a challenge, so I enjoyed it,” she said.

Figiel was the first of the local runners to cross the finish line, and she placed fourth with a time of 24 minutes, 38 seconds.

Also for Troup, Catherine Leveritt (25:07) finished sixth, Monica Cameron (26:06) placed eighth, and Charley Harry (27:25) secured a 10th-place finish.

Troup’s other two runners, Zoe Giddens and Anna Barintine, were 20th and 21st, respectively.

“From what I saw, it was a little hilly, and a little muddy. But overall, I felt like we ran pretty decent today,” said Troup coach Dallas Reagan.

“They definitely put in the work last week to be ready for today. Especially our girls. They performed really well today.”

LaGrange, which won the county championship two weeks ago, was represented by its junior-varsity runners in Monday’s race.

The top LaGrange finisher was freshman Mary Claire Bakarich (25:56), who was seventh.

Also for LaGrange, Chloe Dagenhart (30:33) was 13th, and Mary Beth Callaway (35:04) was 19th.

Representing the host school was Lafayette Christian’s Lily Skipworth (30:17), and she finished 12th.

The LaGrange and Troup runners are gearing up for the Region 5-AAAA meet that will be held on Oct. 26 in Douglas County.

On Saturday, LaGrange participated in the Atlanta Classic, which was held at the site of the region meet.

Anna Doerr (22:05) was LaGrange’s top finisher with a 35th-place finish, and she was followed by Zemya Rhaney (22:26), Chloe Morman (22:54), Zanay Rhaney (23:20), Mary Claire Bakarich (26:46), Brooke Stansbury (28:21) and Mary Beth Callaway (30:37).