JACKSON – Carson Holly and Noah Durham turned in strong performances for the Winona boys cross country team at the MC Watson Ford Invitational meet at Choctaw Trails.
Running in a strong field on the same course where the state meet is held, Holly finished fifth with a time of 18:23.82 for 5,000 meters. That is his personal best.
“He keeps improving his time every week,” said Coach Chris McRae. Holly, a senior, finished eighth at the state meet last year.
Durham, a freshman, broke 20 minutes for the first time, coming in 29th with a time of 19:56.97. “I'm really excited about that,” McRae said. “He has a bright future.”
Durham was 52nd at the state meet last year and is ahead of Holly's pace as a freshman.
The race winner was Wesley Green of Hickory Flat with a time of 17:57.13. With only two runners, Winona did not have a varsity team score. The middle school team with five runners finished 12th.
Nathan Henson was Winona's top middle school runner, coming in 40th with a time of 13:32.87 for 3,200 meters (slightly less than two miles). He was followed by Thomas Rosamond, 57th in 13:56.93; Aiden Windham, 67th in 14:12.89; Jermorius Sanders, 76th in 14:21.28; and Ahmaud Seawood, 105th in 15:21.86.
Winona did not have any runners in the girls races.
There were two division for the varsity races, with 4A, 5A, 6A schools in Division I. Winona was in Division II along with other 1A, 2A and 3A schools.
Runners from all schools ran in one division in the middle school races.
Winona's next meet will be Oct. 19 at French Camp. The Tigers will host the Region 4-3A meet Oct. 29. The 3A state meet will be Nov. 4.
