The NCHSAA 2-A cross-country championships were all about maintaining the status quo.
As expected, the Carrboro girls and North Lincoln boys delivered in the team competition held at Beeson Park on Saturday. In the meantime, pre-race favorites Grace Morken (Carrboro) and A.J. Tucker (Cedar Ridge) held off all challengers to win individual titles.
With six of its seven runners placing in the top 15, Carrboro won its third straight girls championship with ease. The Jaguars were never in danger of relinquishing their hold on the crown. They outscored runner-up North Lincoln by 40 points.
Carrboro's dominance was fueled by a pre-race talk from first-year coach Mimi O'Grady.
"I told the girls to run with no regrets and leave it all on the course," O'Grady said. "Looking at the results, you know they listened. Their desire to win as a team is remarkable. We're just thrilled. It's sweet and special any time you win it (state crown)."
There were no secrets to Morken's strategy. She was content to position herself behind the front-runners and close with a strong finish over the final mile. Morken (19:18.57) beat second-place Grace Turner of Lincolnton (19:22.18) and repeated as state champion. "The tactics were the same as last year, but the competition was harder," said Morken, a junior. "I knew she (Turner) would finish fast. I just wanted to make sure that she wasn't right behind me."
Laney Browder of Wilkes Central was the only area runner to finish in the top 10. Browder clocked 19:54.67 for 10th place to make the All-State team.
In the boys race, Carrboro had its sights set on winning back-to-back championships. North Lincoln had other ideas.
North Lincoln's depth proved to be too much for Carrboro to overcome. Superior balance propelled the Knights to an 18-point cushion over the Jaguars. Four North Lincoln runners finished in the top 10 to get All-State honors. Carrboro had only one runner (Dominic Collichio, fourth place) in the top 10. North Lincoln assured itself of a team title when senior German Perez finished 10th.
"Having our fourth guy crack the top 10 was a big key for us," coach Matt Reep said. "That was the difference. We're excited and happy. We're proud for our kids."
A.J. Tucker of Cedar Ridge encountered no problems in winning the boys title. Tucker (16:24.44) took control halfway through the race and was never seriously challenged. Danzel Jefferson of Lumberton St. Paul's was a distant second at 16:41.90.
"At the start, I was so nervous," said Tucker. "I just wanted to get it over with.
"With about a mile to go, I started cruising and was very comfortable. That's when I felt that I had the race won."
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