ROANOKE RAPIDS — Once again the runners on the Roanoke Rapids cross country team are headed for regional action. Coach Jerry Bullock is carrying five boys and 10 girls to the event at Northwood High School in Pittsboro on Oct. 31.

Anthony Gainey | The Daily Herald The Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jacket cross country team has spent two weeks preparing for the upcoming regional event on Saturday, Oct 31. Pictured, from left, front row, Garrison Gordon, Alex Snyder, Brian Snyder, Joe Thomas and Philip Wheat. In the second row, from left, Cathrine Cabanillas, Nancy Brown, Paige Lockamon, Roberta Richardson, Jessica Scales, Magen Medlin and Rebecca Gordon. Advertisement

The boys squad placed third in the conference but surprised Bullock with their efforts. “Philip has been a pleasant surprise in his efforts this season in being the top runner for us,” said Bullock.

Teammates Brian Baker, Alex Snyder, Bradley Sawyer and Garrison Gordon are last year’s runners who complimented this years team. Newcomers Joe Thomas and Gil Alfonzo have also added some zeal to the boys line up.

Jacob Hackenburg joined in the conference meet.

The boys have done well with Wheat and Snyder along with Northwest Halifax’s Tevin McWilliams and Jeremy Vick, making the all conference squad with Rashad Hicks for Northwest getting honorable mention.

The girls exceeded expectations of how they have picked up the pace having lost some key runners.

Senior Magen Medlin heads up the Lady Jacket team with  Rebecca Gordon and Catherine Cabanillas following suit. Some of the girls have knocked off as much as seven minutes off of their time since the beginning of the season. Paige Lockamon and Jessica Scales came on board and made the team much better than the coaches anticipated.

The Lady Jackets along with Northwest Halifax’s Tawnya Bryant and Jade Mills took up the top nine spots in the conference meet and took up eight spots in the All Conference team for the area. Medlin, Bryant, Cabanillas, Gordon, Nancy Brown have been bright spots for the coaches this season. Roberta Richardson Mills, Lockamon and Scales took honorable mention.

With the Regional just around the corner it is a bitter sweet moment for Medlin. “I’m excited we have a good girls team and have the chance to go to State.  If we all do well, It has been a long time since we’ve gone as a team. I am sad this is my last year, but it has been fun and I have gotten to know the girls, I will miss everyone,” says the senior.

 “The season went well for both teams, we are looking for good performances from everyone on Saturday,” Bullock said. “I would like to thank the parents for their support and traveling with the team. I would also like to thank Jordan Carter who is a first year coach for coming in learning the program and really helping the kids get to the next performance level.”