Several runners bounced back big after State!
Ashton Endsley (right) & Abby Gray (left) Battling it out for first photo By: Travis Miller
It was no surprise the conditions at State caused some runners to not place as high as expected. Many fell subject to slips, trips and falls in the mud, but this weekend they bounced back big. Ashton Endsley is the most notable after having an undefeated season leading up to state she placed just outside the top 10 in 11th. This weekend she battled with 5A state champ, Abby Gray down to the wire to take the victory. The race looked very similar to the race earlier in the year at McNeil. There were several guys who had big races this weekend after dropping back at state. Daniel Bernal bounced back big after placing 74th at state, he came back this weekend to place 5th overall and qualify as the 2nd individual to NXN. Two other runners who had big performances and are also heading to Portland are, Sam Worley, and Matthew Kearney. Worley had been sick at both the region and state meet, but got back on track at NXNS to qualify as the 3rd individual for Portland. Super sophomore Matthew Kearney had an undefeated season all they way until the Region meet where he placed 12th. He went on to place 72nd in class 6A on the muddy state course. He had a huge race at NXN South to bounce back big placing 7th overall earning him an qualifying spot for NXN.