The CHS cross country (XC) teams traveled to Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 3, to compete in the Memphis Twilight Classic. The 5K race is held under the lights at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex and draws over 75 teams from seven states, with runners from junior high through college.
The Lady Lions toed the line at 8 p.m., just when rain and storms blew in. Despite the difficult conditions, several runners earned season best times in the field of over 400 competitors. Freshman Katie Ramlow led the team with a personal record (PR) of 24:23 (175th), followed closely by Kayedence Christopher in 24:53. Katlin Martin, Alyssa Travis, and Maribel Conchas also scored for Camden.
The varsity boys’ race was delayed due to lightning, but at nearly 9 p.m., the gun went off and the stampede was on towards one of the most notoriously difficult bottleneck starts of any course.
Houston’s Hays Adams jumped out to an early lead with Camden’s Will Douglas just behind him through one mile. Adams faded on the second loop, but Arkansas’s Joseph Bariola and St. Louis runner Adam Snoke tried to take over the lead with Douglas still in the mix.
By the third loop, Douglas made his move to the front, extending his lead by 9 seconds to take the individual victory in a time of 15:41. Pete Douglas scored next for the Lions in a personal best time of 17:21 (50th) with Ridge Bruce following in 17:33 (65th). Matthew Arnold and Kevin Knight completed Camden’s scorers.
“This was a hard race, but I really wanted this win and was able to get it done tonight,” Douglas said of his victory.
The Lions race next at Huntingdon on Tuesday, Sept. 13, where the Lions will test their speed against the Mustangs and other West Tennessee teams.
