GREENWOOD -- Two Siloam Springs boys cross country runners set new personal records on Saturday in the Greenwood Invitational held at Bell Park.
"That is saying a lot on the Greenwood course," said head cross country coach Sharon Jones. "Their course has about a half-mile long gradual hill that the high school has to run twice."
The Panthers finished third overall in the 5A, 6A and 7A boys division, while the Lady Panthers took second in the girls division.
Panthers
Meet host Greenwood took first place with 41 points, followed by Rogers Heritage with 52, Siloam Springs 66, Russellville 125, Clarksville 130, Fort Smith Southside 147, Alma 184 and Fort Smith Northside 198.
Ironically, of all the new personal records set on Saturday, the Panthers' top finisher, senior Parker Wallis, fell one second short of setting his career-best.
Wallis ran a time of 17 minutes, 35.9 seconds and finished third overall to lead the Panthers.
"He killed the course with a 17:35.9," Jones said.
Isaac Leachman placed 10th at 18:10.2, while Charlie Jones was 12th at 18:22.0
"Isaac and Charlie also ran super well," Sharon Jones said. "All three of those boys won medals." For Leachman and Charlie Jones, it was the first medals of their career.
David Williams finished 19th overall with a time of 19:03.5.
"David continues to run strong in the top five," Jones said.
Daniel Norwood set a new personal record at 19:09.8, while Eli Hawbaker was 24th at 19:13.3.
Chandler Stewart placed 28th at 19:18.7, while Logan McLeod also set a new personal record at 20:46.1.
The Panthers were missing Caleb Ellis and Samuel Granderson, both top seven runners.
"Our boys team is very competitive right now within itself," Jones said. "We will move up (freshman) Kerrig Kelly next week at Van Buren to help with the varsity. He is super excited about that and so are we."
Lady Panthers
Siloam Springs is the two-time defending Class 6A girls champions, but on Saturday they placed second to another Class 6A team.
Russellville won the Greenwood Invitational with a team score of 28, while Siloam Springs was second at 33, followed by Fort Smith Northside 85 and Greenwood 97.
Siloam Springs was missing two of its top runners in Allika Pearson and Chloe McGooden, and Russellville had moved up two freshmen to its varsity team.
"That's why we race," Jones said. "What's funny is our girls didn't even talk about them beating us."
Senior Jasmine Guillen placed second overall at 20:40.8, finishing behind Russellville freshman Charissa Helms who won with a time of 20:13.4.
"Jasmine ran a strong race," Jones said. "She continues to battle plantar fasciitis, but is improving each week."
Brittany Pilcher placed fourth at 21:14.0, and Caroline Farine was seventh at 21:38.9.
Rachel Thompson was 13th at 22:20.2.
Guillen, Pilcher, Farine and Thompson all received medals.
Lily Slater placed 14th at 23:43.9, while Megan Rush ran a 23:57.9 and finished 23rd.
Katie Bishop was 36th at 25:52.6.
"Megan Rush and Katie Bishop both ran great races," Jones said.
Jones said plans are in the works to move up freshmen Candy Dubon and Kimberly Guillen to the varsity roster.
"They will both provide a well-needed cushion for our girls," she said.
Both teams return to action on Saturday at Van Buren.
"We should bring everybody back next week for Van Buren, including Abigail Cole who we foresee to be ready to go again," Jones said.
Sports on 10/12/2016