SFCS Cross Country Team Sets Personal Records at NCISAA State Meet

          October 31, 2011 - The Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) Varsity Cross Country team turned in an outstanding performance at the NCISAA State Meet on Friday, October 28. The Crusaders finished the season on a high note, saving their best races for the end. Personal records were set by all 12 Crusader runners! The Shannon Forest Girls' team finished in 5th place and the Boys' team came in 4th place overall. 
          Completing her solid 2011 season, Senior Katherine Roach took the top spot for the Girls' team finishing in 16th place with a career best time of 22 minutes, 42 seconds. The secondary group of runners for the Girls' team started with Maci Burress taking 21st with a time of 23 minutes, 10 seconds. Finishing in 22nd and 23rd were SFCS teammates Emily Pyhala and Delayne Nickels posting marks of 23.14 and 23.22 respectively. Rounding out the scoring in 41st place was senior Gabby Lance, crossing the line in 26.04. The entire Girls' team set their career best times.

          On the Boys' side, 8th Grade runner Luke Horne earned NCISAA All-State honors in only his 2nd season, crossing the line in 19 minutes, 11 seconds. His finish earned him the 8th slot overall. Next a trio of SFCS runners came across the line within about 45 seconds of each other. Micah Weaver finished the course in 20 minutes, 6 seconds (20th), followed by Kyle Bradley in 23rd place (20:32) and Parker Johnson in 30th place (20.48). Parker Ross was next with a time of 21.26 placing him in the 36th slot overall. Teammates John Paul Garner came in 45th (21.54) and Rivers Stone place 51st (22.28). All seven runners set career best marks. 
         During the 2011 campaign, the SFCS Cross Country Team relied on their senior captains while also welcoming new talent to the program. Before the season, only two runners had competed more than one year. The rest of the team consisted of 1st or 2nd year runners. With well-rounded contributions from a variety of runners, the Crusaders recorded a truly successful season of personal accomplishments and overall team improvement. Race times improved 30 times over the course of the season. The Crusaders will lose five senior runners from this year's team: Katherine Roach, Parker Johnson, Emily Pyhala, Micah Weaver and Gabby Lance. With 11 runners returning next season, Shannon Forest can look forward to more personal and team records being set in 2012!