By David Rogers. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Still only a sophomore, Watauga harrier Will Bradbury finished just 12 seconds behind Ardrey Kell junior Raghav Gopalakrishnan (15:50.42) and Charlotte Catholic senior Ian Pierce (15:55.04) on the Larry McAfee Course at McAlpine Park and ahead of 135 other 4A West Regional runners on Oct. 29. His third place finish in 16:02.83 was good enough to qualify him for the NCHSAA 4A State XC Championship meet at Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville. The men’s race is scheduled for 9:40 a.m., the women at 11:00 a.m.
The Pioneers’ other four scoring harriers all finished in the top half of the 138-runner field, but it was not enough to the team into the state meet as a team qualifier. Watauga finished 8th on the day. The Pioneers included junior Roman Sibaja (37th, 17L39.02), freshman Elliott Taft (44th, 17:46.48), junior Sam Nixon (51st, 17L55.04), and Sam Rex (61st, 18:18.15).
