Carbon rocks Moab Red Rock Invitational

By Sun Advocate

On Saturday Aug. 23, the Carbon Cross Country team traveled to Moab for the 8th annual Red Rock Invitational on Moab’s golf course. Both the Varsity and JV boy’s teams took first at the meet. The girl’s team finished strong, but did not have enough members compete to finish in medal standing.
Even with temperatures reaching 100 degrees in Moab on Saturday, the team was hydrated and prepared. Seven teams were in attendance some of which included San Juan, Monticello, Green River, and Grand.
The Varsity and JV races were combined and the boys led the day off followed by the girls. Approximately 10 minutes after 10:00 am the gun fired sending adrenaline, stamina, and pure guts off the starting line with everyone fighting for a good position. The athletes covered 3.1 miles of grass and red dirt.
Carbon’s Jared Richens and Jordan Tatton, seniors, went out strong and pushed the pace. Tatton finished fifth overall with a time of 20:01. Richens was a close seven seconds behind him in 6th place. Coach Telisse Allen commented that they both ran great races.
However these two were far from alone. Kaleb Kulow, Kaeden Kulow, and Luke Olsen finished up with with a stunning seventh, eighth and ninth place finishes. Carson Tatton and Nathan Hepworth  wrapped up the varsity squad with overall finishes in 17th and 20th place.
With the top five Carbon runners finishing in the top 10 they guaranteed themselves a first place finish.
The JV boys were led by Justin Hepworth, a freshman, winning the JV race overall in a time of 20:25. Freshman Skylar Larsen placed 3rd overall. Brenden Hepworth, Preston Grant and Derik Quinton finished in the top 20 and helped bring home the 1st place JV team trophy.
For the girls, senior Patricia Smith and Moab’s own Dayna Vandrosal took the early lead. They were running relaxed and quickly widened the distance between them and the 3rd place runner. Smith ran a great steady race. She ended up with a 2nd place overall finish and a time of 21:00. Teammates Karissa Nelson, Kacylia Ivory finished 10th and 12th both having great early season races. Kristin Jewkes also ran tough and fought to the finish. By not having a complete team of five they were unable to be in contention for a team trophy. However Smith, Nelson and Ivory brought home medals.
Coach Telisse Allen and assistant Stu Foster were excited with the performances and personal records obtained and looking forward to a competitive, successful season. On Aug 27 the team will travel through Salina Canyon and compete against Emery, Richfield and Juab.