Barnard wins for Boone
A better script couldnt have been written for Adam Barnards final run on a home course that over the past four years has witnessed the growth of one of the best distance runners in the state and greatest ever at Daniel Boone.
Barnard lined up for the final time in Gray on Oct. 23 in the Region 1 cross country championship and completed the course faster than any person ever has before.
The Blazer senior completed his run with a time of 15:37.1 to set a new course record and guide his team to a third straight regional championship, capping off a special day for a tremendous athlete.
Boones James Garst (15.52.1) and Josh Routh (16:27.5) finished second and third behind their Trailblazing teammate to give the Blazers all three of the events top three finishers.
Also figuring into the Blazers team total were Ben Varghese (16:45.7) and Mitch Bronstetter (16:57) who finished sixth and seventh respectively to give Boone a 19-point total, well ahead of second place Science Hill (53) and third place Tennessee High (99).
The Pioneers will also be sending a couple of individuals to state as Dakoatah Lyons finished in 10th place in the boys individual results with a time of 17:12.4.
In the girls event, Pioneer freshman Breanna Roy punched her ticket to the state championship meet with a sixth place finish after posting a time of 19.52.5.
Boones Makayla Shaw and Grayson Loyd finished in 14 and 15 to just miss qualifying to state as individuals.
Morristown West (19) won the girls team event and were followed by Science Hill (61) and Dobyns-Bennett (116).
The state meet will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Steeplechase cross country course in Nashville.