Warriors' Turner emerges top individual runner

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 23, 2009 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Russell Turner shook off the effects of the flu just in time to step up to the starting line on Tuesday afternoon.

He did not show any symptoms in a convincing victory.

Turner finished the 3.1-mile course at Charles B. Aycock in 18 minutes and 41 seconds to lead all runners in a three-team Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference cross country meet that included Triton.

"I really felt awful over the weekend," said Turner. "I did not run at the Wolfpack Invitational on Saturday, but today I felt pretty good so I figured I would go today."

Turner raced out to an early lead and never even glimpsed in the rear view mirror. By the end of the first mile, the Eastern Wayne sophomore had a significant advantage and turned his focus to running a consistent pace.

The Warriors used Turner's first-place finish to propel the team to first place as well. Teammate Caleb Cross (19:44) raced home fourth overall. Steven Brantley (20:18), Eric Lemmon (21:14) and Michael Pinkston (21:52) rounded out the Warriors team score.

Eastern Wayne edged Triton 31-40. Aycock collected 54 points.

The Hawks' Anthony Morris (19:03) earned second-place individual honors. Nate Turley (19:24), Parker Tart (20:09), Clint Hodges (22:11) and Ben Crise (22:23) completed Triton's second-place team finish.

Nathan Jones raced home seventh overall to lead the Golden Falcons in 20:35. Elliot Gonzalez (21:32), Bobby Cox (21:38), Randal Fulghum (21:47) and Cameron Taylor (22:45) added to the host team's total.

On the girls' side, it was the same story with a different setting.

Triton claimed four of the top six spots and captured team honors with 22 points. Laura Godwin finished almost two full minutes ahead of her next competitor in 22:03.

Charles B. Aycock finished in second place as a team with 49 points behind a fourth-place run by Kendra Speight (24:05). Jessica Kyer (25:23) Elvia Rodriguez (25:49), Courtney McGowan (27:26) and Stephanie Lopez (28:02) completed the Golden Falcons' team score.

Morgan Jeffries finished third overall for Eastern Wayne in 24:05. Kristin Larsen (27:53), Jessica Ream (27:56), Christy Interrante (28:13) and Ashley Jarrett (28:18) rounded out the Warriors' finish.