Cross Country

SV JH Cross Country at Pocahontas Area Invite

10/5/2025

The Southeast Valley Middle School Cross Country Team ran Saturday at the annual PAC Meet held at Pocahontas’s golf course. Competing against fourteen other middle schools, the team secured two medals by standout Griffin Vote, who finished 2nd overall with a time of 13:24, and Jayden Christie, who placed 12th, clocking in at 14:21. Multiple other runners ran strong, too, including Henry Sandstrom, Andrew Wanat, Grant Peterson, Kenley Spece, Averie Kitchen, and Aleeyah Hoeffer, who just missed the medal mark.

Parents and supporters gathered at the finish line, cheering for each athlete as they crossed. The positive energy from the crowd helped drive the runners through the final stretch of the beautiful but breezy Saturday morning race.

“It was a nice course. The course may have been a little longer than other meets, and our times reflect that, but I’m really happy with how our team ran today,” stated Coach Lee. Coach Peterson expressed pride in the team’s effort. “It wasn’t just about the top finishers; every runner pushed themselves and contributed to the team’s success. I’m especially proud of how they supported each other throughout the race. It isn’t about the time. It’s about rising up to push through when something is hard.” Adding to that, Lee said, “These kids have worked hard all season, and today it showed. We are seeing growth. Seeing runners who struggled early in the season, now having confidence, that’s what it is all about for us coaches and our runners.”

Nalayna Knuths, reflected on her run. “I felt really good at the meet because I kept going.” Moses Cunigan added to Knuth, “Personally, when we started, I was beyond tired, but I kept a steady breath by the end, I really proud of myself because I didn’t get passed this time. And as a team, SV did really great. A second place finish for the boys is amazing. I also think the girls did an amazing job. Last year, the girls didn’t have enough runners to place, so I feel think its great we are getting more girl runners and they get to place this year.”

The runners continued the support towards each other. Andrew Wanat exclaimed, “I felt like everyone did well this meet. We all have things to improve on yet, myself included, but overall, I feel like we ran really well and as a team.” Dom Paterson, a returning 8th-grader added to the feels. “Always be positive towards others. I love supporting others, even when they aren’t my teammates, and I love it when people support me, too.”

With their last regular season meet Tuesday, October 7 in Lake City, and the conference meet next week on Thursday, October 16, the team is now setting its sights on continuing its success. “I’m liking XC more and more,” said Cayl Carlson. “I’m setting goals. My goal was to break my personal record, and I’m glad I did. What I’m working on next is my overall placement. I want to get in the top 25%.”

The coaches are optimistic about the upcoming meets. “We’ve built something special this season. We know the team will keep improving, and we can’t wait to see how far we go.”

Pocahontas

10-4-25

Boys

Finishing Time

Place

Griffin Vote