The Bell County boys cross country team finds itself in a familiar place after Saturday’s Class AA Region 5 meet. They are heading back to the state championship for the fifth straight year as a team. Bell placed fifth as a team in Monticello on Saturday and that allowed the Bobcats to advance.
Leading the pack for the Bobcats was junior Nicholas Stewart, who placed fifth overall with a time of 17:54.59 for the 5K course. Senior Braydin Hickey placed seventh with a time of 18:21.59. Stewart and Hickey were named to the all-region team. Teammates Reese Arno placed 14th, Tanner Simpson 22nd, Jonah Slusher 47th, Doltan Warren 50th and Landon Eldridge 52nd, respectively.
“These boys ran great today. We knew coming into the season making it to the state meet would be tougher this year than it has been in years for us due to graduation and runners not returning to the team, but they kept working, never complained and they did it,” Bell County coach Jason Stewart said. “We had a big race from Nickel today. He’s been one of the best runners in the region since seventh grade but hadn’t quite made it into the top eight, but finally had that breakthrough today. As a coach and a dad, I’m beaming with pride. We also had a big race from Braydin – seventh place as a senior, making the all-region team. I’m so proud of him. But honestly all of these boys have put the work in and have done a great job all season. I can’t wait to see how they compete at state.”
The Lady Cats didn’t have a full team on Saturday but they still performed well. Freshman Abagail Johnson placed eighth for the Lady Cats with a time of 22:33.42 making the all-region tam. Teammate Kaelyn Lyrock also had a top 10 performance, placing 10th with a time of 22:58.88. Both runners advanced to the state championship as individual qualifiers. Senior Meredith Allen ran a course PR placing 33rd with a time of 27:06.44 for the 5K.
“These girls competed today – two in the top 10 and one with a course PR. I’m so proud of them,” Stewart said. “Abagail and Kaelyn have been locked in all season and came through when it mattered the most. Abagail making the all-region team as a freshman. These girls are just special. I can’t wait to see how they race at state. Our senior, Meredith, she’s the heart of the team. She’s worked so hard for us for three years and to say we are going to miss her is an understatement.”