The Spartan cross country season came to a close at South View High School, alongside 21 other teams in the 4A East Region. With the women placing 6th in the region, the Lady Spartans narrowly missed the top-five-team cutoff for the state meet. The men’s team also nearly qualified, placing 7th overall. 

  Racing in the NCHSAA 4A East Region, the Spartans had the most stiff competition in the state. Teams such as Cardinal Gibbons, Laney, and Hoggard are some of the top-ranked teams in the state who all happen to be in the 4A East Region. This makes qualifying for States statistically difficult. 

   Hoggard, Laney, Cardinal Gibbons, Ashley High School, and Broughton will further their season in Kernersville. Alongside the women, the men’s teams advancing to the state meet include Cardinal Gibbons, Broughton, Leesville, Hoggard, and Millbrook High School.

  Sanderson senior Mackenzie Merrit earned herself a spot in the state meet running a 19:14 5k, placing 20th overall. Merrit has been talking with college coaches and is looking to further her running career in college.  

  Sanderson junior Alhagi Faal also secured a sport at the state competition running a 16:16, a personal record, and placed 25th in the region. Faal says he hopes to continue to set personal records in his coming meets including the state meet in Kernersville. 

  Following the end of the cross country season, winter track kicked off on Monday with Coach Hammond and Coach Baker. Marc Medford will continue coaching his long distance athletes.