by Malcolm Butler
Myles Head Carpenter and Kendal Ramsey led the Cedar Creek varsity boys and girls cross country teams to victories in their opening meets of the 2023 fall season Saturday at The Gospel in Choudrant.
Carpenter captured the individual title in the boys 3-mile run with a time of 16:48.12, more than a full minute better than his nearest competitor. The Cougars captured the team title with a score of 24, besting runner-up Sterlington (40).
Kendal Ramsey, just a seventh grader for the Lady Cougars, finished third out of 35 runners with a time of 21:22.08 in her first varsity cross country race. The Lady Cougars also won the team competition with a score of 30, edging Sterlington (39).
“Choudrant puts on a wonderful meet on, and it’s one of the more difficult courses we will run this year,” said Creek head coach Craig Moss. “Myles had an incredible morning running effortlessly to a victory, but we are focused on times and making sure he peaks at state. Myles had a great summer of training and is poised to have an amazing season.
“Kendall is a 7th grader who is a natural born competitor. When she learns how to truly race the 3-mile distance she is going to be dangerous. It’s exciting to see the Ramsey sisters (older sister Taylor) run with each and even more importantly how they love, cheer, and support each other.”
Ethan McCarthy, Hayes Bridges, Anderson Maxwell and Josh McCarthy all finished in the top 10 of the 49-person field (see full results below).
“I felt our boys ran a smart and fluid race, they all had gas left in their tank and this gives us a baseline for the rest of the season,” said Moss. “I am truly excited for them, as they worked together. They are only going to get stronger and faster as we work towards November 13th for our state meet.”
On the girls side, Madison Morris, Taylor Ramsey, and Marley Jinks all registered top 10 finishes to lead the Lady Cougars to a victory.
“These runners trust the process and believe in themselves and each other,” said Moss. “The girls will continue to get better. The youth we have is a blessing because they have the heart drive and determination.”
The host Aggies finished third on the boys side and were led by Hagen Davis with a sixth-place finish with a time of 18:11.96. The Lady Aggies were led by Kamryn Rhodes with an 11th place finish and a time of 23:35.95.
Varsity Girls Team Results
Cedar Creek 30
Sterlington 39
West Ouachita 54
Cedar Creek Varsity Girls
Kendal Ramsey (3rd) 21:22.08
Madison Morris (6th) 21:42.14
Taylor Ramsey (7th) 22:02.73
Marley Jinks (9th) 22:43.96
Audrey Barron (14th) 24:24.34
Madeline Kneeland (17th) 24:40.01
Catherine McAdams (22nd) 27:41.96
Lindsey Osafo (24th) 28:32.92
Annalise Paul (32nd) 30:34.80
Choudrant Varsity Girls
Kamryn Rhodes (11th) 23:35.95
Emily Snyder (29th) 29:56.68
Kadence Nugent (30th) 29:59.21
Varsity Boys Team Results
Cedar Creek 24
Sterlington 41
Choudrant 66
Lakeside 115
Cedar Creek Varsity Boys
Myles Carpenter Head (1st) 16:48.12
Ethan McCarthy (3rd) 18:02.64
Hayes Bridges (7th) 18:32.69
Anderson Maxwell (9th) 18:37.62
Joshua McCarthy (10th) 18:38.11
Connor Johnson (12th) 18:56.34
John Abram Earle (18th) 20:14.82
Tanner Andrews (19th) 20:30.74
Cole Morganthal (21st) 20:41.52
Dylan Drake (26th) 21:50.67
Gabe Garcia (38th) 24:18.20
Choudrant Varsity Boys
Hagen Davis (6th) 18:11.96
Collin Rozelle (15th) 19:23.26
Ren Stephens (20th) 20:36.61
Garrett Spearman (22nd) 20:59.95
Declan Smith (27th) 22:03.98
Connor Thompson (30th) 22:48.43
Wade Watson (37th) 24:17.30
Everitt Thorn (41st) 24:53.61
