By David Rogers. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With all five scoring athletes in the top 35 of 121 entered athletes entered in the 5000m NCHSAA 4A West Women’s Regional finals, including three in the top 18, Watauga grabbed a fourth place team finish on Oct. 29 at McAlpine Park.
On the Larry McAfee Course and the event hosted by Providence High School, Myers Park junior Mary Bonner Dalton (18:01.90) broke the tape over a half-minute ahead of second place finisher Hannah Caudill (18:42.90), a senior from Asheville. Olympic High School junior Natalia Martin (18:51.90) was nine seconds behind to secure the third spot.
A Watauga trio of junior Rachel Cathey (20:05.20), senior Gwendolyn Anderson (20:09.90). and freshman Savannah Duvall (20:13.20) finished in 15th, 16th, and 17th, respectively, to lead the Pioneers.
Watauga seniors Virginia St. Clair (20:52.90) and Brianna Anderson (20:53.90) also had strong finishes in 33rd and 35th, respectively.
With the 4th place finish, the Pioneer women qualified for the NCHSAA 4A State Cross Country Championships, scheduled for Nov. 5 at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville.
