Mansfield sent its crew of long distance runners to Acorn on September 15. Of the 17 Tigers that competed, five carried away a top 20 medal.
Faith Rainwater behind a 23:59 mark for the 5K race was tenth overall with big and small schools combined. The junior class member bettered her time from the previous Saturday but fell in the ranks with the combined scoring.
“Faith pushed hard today,” Mansfield mentor John Mackey said. “She is really ahead of schedule as compared to her All-State season two years ago. I know she is looking forward to cooler temperatures as her conditioning continues to get better.”
Close behind at 15th place was Darby Jones. Also a junior, Jones clocked in at 24:30 for her best time of the season as well.
“Darby and Faith are really battling with the best runners in the area,” Mackey stated. “Those two have a real chance to post some good times.”
Jadelynn Wood grabbed the last medal in the top 20 fight. Battling step for step with another runner, Wood sprinted the remaining 30 meters to take the prize. Her time was clocked at 25:15. It too was a season best.
Teammates Hope Rainwater and McKenzie Griffin completed the Mansfield senior girls’ team score as the fourth and fifth runners off the Lady Tiger unit.
In the junior girls division, Trinity Triska and Laney Wood medaled for the Tigers. Triska was fourth overall in the 1.5 mile race. She was timed at 11:01. Wood was seventh. She was measured at 11:36.
“Those two (Triska and Wood) have scored among the leaders for our first three meets.” Mansfield's head coach commented. “It’s been a challenge as they are frequently traveling to volleyball games as dual sport athletes. They have to train when they can to stay on the leaderboard. So far their work has shown in the standings.”
The junior Tigers’ top five included Aidan Fildes, Addie Bowan, and Azlynn Stover along with Triska and Wood.
The Mansfield men were represented by John Branche and Ethan Streets. Branche posted the best mark at 22:52 for the 5K race.
Jonah Martin off the junior boys squad had his best day of his rookie season. Martin trekked the 1.5 mile course in 12:08. He was 54th in the rankings.
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