Cross Country Bucs win Forest Festival Invitational as they place three runners in the top four

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ELKINS –The Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers put three runners in the top four at the Forest Festival Cross Country Invitational Saturday morning as the team won the eight-team event.

In a race with 61 runners, B-U’s Jordan Gillum placed second with a time of 19:16.34, Jack Waggy took third place with a clocking of 19:44.49 and Reis Leonard placed fourth a time of 20:15.97.

The trio helped the Bucs to a first-place finish as they easily won the invitational with 34 points.

Doddridge County was a distant second with 76 points while Lewis County was third with 84.

Slate Swiger of Lewis County won the race with a time of 18:32.40.

City of Buckhannon

The two other Bucs scoring both had top 15 finishes as Joey Nolte was 11th with a time of 21:14.73 and Brycen Allen was 14th with a time of 21:32.22.

The other Bucs running were Owen Cutright in 16th (21:40.66), Jeremy Allen in 39th (24:17.94), Brandon Landis in 44th (25:11.88), Weldon Zirkle in 48th (25:38.04), Ryan Tenney in 54th (27:56.49) and Ryan Dowell in 54th (27:56.49).

“I am really proud of the boys, of their overall performance as a team and as individuals,” stated Buckhannon-Upshur Taylor Stacy. “Anytime you almost get all of your top five runners in the top 15 you know you’ve had a good day.”

The Bucs will run again Saturday in Kingwood at the Big 10/Cardinal Conference Challenge.

The results:

TEAM STANDINGS

  1. Buckhannon-Upshur 34; 2. Doddridge County 76; 3. Lewis County 84; 4. Elkins 97; 5. Ritchie County 123; 6. South Harrison 139; 7. Tucker County 152; 8. Lincoln 178. (Philip Barbour, Clay-Battelle and Braxton County did not field complete teams).

INDIVIDUAL TOP 5

  1. Slate Swiger (Lewis County) – 18:32.40.
  2. Jordan Gillum (Buckhannon-Upshur) – 19:16.34.
  3. Jack Waggy (Buckhannon-Upshur) – 19:44.49.
  4. Reis Leonard (Buckhannon-Upshur) – 20:15.97.
  5. David Hughes (Lewis County) – 20:22.57.

BUCCANEER RESULTS

Jordan Gillum (2nd) – 19:16.34.

Jack Waggy (3rd) – 19:44.49.

Reis Leonard (4th) – 20:15.97.

Joey Nolte (11th) – 21:14.73.

Brycen Allen (14th) – 21:32.22.

Owen Cutright (16th) – 21:40.66.

Jeremy Allen (39th) – 24:17.94

Brandon Landis (44th) – 25:11.88.

Weldon Zirkle (48th) – 25:38.04.

Ryan Tenney (54th) – 27:56.49.

Ryan Dowell (59th) – 29:42.26.

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