On Saturday, Sept. 21, Swain High School cross country hosted a Smoky Mountain Conference Invitational at Kituwah Mound. The event was named Keith Payne Memorial Invitational in honor of their coach who died unexpectedly of a heart condition in August.
Coach Payne would have been proud of his Lady Devils and Maroon Devils. The Lady Devils took first place, followed by Franklin, Smoky Mountain and Murphy.
Lady Devil Annie Lewis was the top finisher with a time of 18:38, followed by Angelina Lomelli with 19:52 and Emily Gray Stargell with 19:53.
Competition at Murphy
Swain County Cross Country travelled to Murphy Saturday, Sept. 14 for the Bulldog Invitational.
Lady Devil Annie Lewis won the girls race with a blistering 18:25 5K.
Maroon Devil Carl Baird won the boys race with a time of 15:45, fighting off some sickness and a strong challenge from Ogana Swimmer.
Swain also had a very strong PR from Emily Gray Stargell of 19:25, the fifth fastest time this year in NC for a 1A girl.
Other runners with PR’s included: Peyton Allen, Madison Blankenship, Julianna Meraz-Quijada, Kasandra Cooper, Derek Gunter, Sawyer Nichols, Gus Burgess, and Harvey Crisp.